Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday led dignitaries and other Muslim faithful in funeral prayers for the late elder statesman and renowned academic, Professor Jibril Aminu, who died in Abuja after a prolonged illness.
The Jana’iza (funeral prayer) took place at the National Mosque in Abuja, where Shettima arrived at 1:52 p.m. to join other mourners in honouring the late former Minister of Education and Petroleum.
Describing the late Aminu as ‘the last of the great titans’, he said Nigeria lost an irreplaceable figure who made indelible contributions to national development across various sectors.
“It is a very sad loss. Prof Jibril Aminu was an iconic figure who enormously contributed to the development of the nation,” Shettima said. “He was the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, and Minister in different ministries.
“He left his landmarks on the sands of time. May Allah grant him Aljanatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
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Born in 1939 in Song, Adamawa State, Professor Aminu had a distinguished career in academia, public service, and diplomacy.
A Consultant Cardiologist by training, he served as Federal Minister of Education, Federal Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992), and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States (1999–2003).
He also represented Adamawa Central in the Senate between 2003 and 2011.He was President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1991 and chaired the OPEC Conference between 1991 and 1992 while serving as Petroleum Minister.
Shettima offered prayers for the family and expressed hope that the legacy of the late Professor Aminu would continue to inspire future generations.
