President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and northern governors have expressed grief at the demise of the former minister of education, Professor Jibril Aminu.
In a condolence message he personally signed, Tinubu described the late Aminu, who died on Thursday at the age of 85, as a true patriot whose contributions to medicine, education, and public service left an indelible mark on Nigeria.
He extolled the virtues of the renowned cardiologist, former minister, ambassador and senator.
Prof. Aminu, a one-time president of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), passed on in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
“Professor Jibril Aminu was not just a professor of cardiology; he was one of Nigeria’s most decorated medical professionals and a towering figure in public life. He straddled the worlds of academia and politics with uncommon brilliance and brought erudition and integrity to every position he held,”the president said.
President Tinubu further noted that the late academic was a fellow of several prestigious medical bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science and the Royal College of Physicians in London.
His career, the President added, was defined by “grit, hard work, and expertise.”
LEADERSHIP Friday reports that the late Professor Aminu was born in Song, Adamawa State, in 1939, and rose to become a towering figure in Nigeria’s public life.
The late Aminu held several distinguished positions in the Nigerian education and health sectors, including serving as executive secretary of the National
Universities Commission (NUC) from 1975 to 1979 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri from 1980 to 1985.
He also had an international academic stint as a visiting professor at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C.
In government, Aminu was a minister of education and later served as minister of petroleum and mineral resources from 1989 to 1992. He was also president of OPEC in 1991 and president of the OPEC Conference between 1991 and 1992 while he was petroleum minister.
He was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States between 1999 and 2003, and subsequently represented Adamawa Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2003 to 2011.
“He epitomised statesmanship and was deeply committed to building a greater Nigeria,” President Tinubu said.
The president extended his condolences to the family of the late professor and to the people and government of Adamawa State, describing Aminu’s death as a “profound loss to the nation.”
“As we grieve, we must find solace in his legacy. He left remarkable imprints in the sands of time. May he find eternal rest in Aljana Firdaus. And may Allah forgive his sins,” the statement concluded.
Vice President Shettima led other Muslim faithful for the Jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late elder statesman at the National Mosque in Abuja.
Shettima commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed Allah to comfort them and make Aljanna Firdaus the final abode of the late elder statesman.
Describing Prof Aminu’s demise as a great loss to the nation, VP Shettima, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, described the late surgeon, educationist and administrator as an intellectual giant who can hardly be replaced.
“It is a very sad loss. Prof Jubril Aminu was the last of the great titans, an iconic figure who enormously contributed to the development of the nation.
“He was variously the executive secretary of NUC, Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and minister of various ministries across the country and left his landmarks on the sands of time.
“He is irreplaceable. May Allah grant him Aljanatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the Vice President prayed.l, adding that his death was not just a loss to Adamawa people but to the nation and Africa as a whole.
Other mourners who joined the Vice President at the National Mosque in Abuja for the funeral prayers included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Aliyu Modibbo; former Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed; former Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako; former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje; former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai (rtd); former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman; and former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, among many others.
Similarly, the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed deep grief over Prof Aminu’s death.
In a statement he issued on behalf of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the late Aminu as an iconic figure whose remarkable legacy in public service, diplomacy, and academia will be remembered for generations.
“Professor Aminu was a man of uncommon intellect, integrity, and service. His contributions to Nigeria spanned decades of diligent and patriotic service.
“From his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri to his roles as Minister of Education, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, and later, a Senator representing Adamawa Central, he exemplified excellence and commitment to national development,” the governor stated.
He further stated that Professor Aminu’s death is not only a personal loss to his family and the people of Adamawa State, but also a big loss to the nation, especially to Northern Nigeria where he played key roles in shaping educational and socio-political landscapes.
On behalf of the Northern governors, Governor Inuwa Yahaya extended heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Adamawa State, and all Nigerians mourning the loss of the distinguished statesman.
He prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, reward his lifetime of service, and grant him Aljannat Firdaus.
On his part, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State described the death of Professor Aminu as a shock to him, describing him as “a towering figure in Nigeria’s intellectual and political landscape.”
He said the entire nation greatly benefited from Aminu’s wisdom, scholarship, and decades of patriotic service.
“Professor Aminu served Nigeria with rare distinction in a range of national assignments,
“In each of these capacities, he embodied dignity, insight, and an unwavering commitment to national development.
“Nigeria has lost one of its finest minds, a devoted public servant and a distinguished son of Adamawa. Professor Jibrin Aminu was a rare breed of patriot and a silent reformer whose legacy spans education, diplomacy, and politics.
“His life’s work is an enduring gift to the nation, and his humility and wisdom will be sorely missed.”
The governor prayed that Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and all Nigerians who were touched by Professor Aminu’s extraordinary life.
“Though his passing leaves a void, his legacy remains a guiding light for generations to come.
May his soul find peace in the mercy of Allah,” he stated.
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