• Katsina gov pays tribute to late industrialist
Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja; Agaju Madugba, Katsina
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of Kano State Islamic scholar and billionaire businessman, Alhaji Isyaku Rabiu, as a colossal loss, not only to the field of learning, but, also, the business sector.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement quoted his principal as saying: “No tribute can do justice to the amazing virtues of Isyaku Rabiu, in view of his vast contributions to scholarship, industrial investments and development in the country.
“The late Rabiu had the remarkable qualities of combining scholarship and vast business investments which created job opportunities for hundreds of people.”
The president noted that “the deceased had attained success through honest labour and resourcefulness, which helped him achieve fame in life, and such virtues are not common in the context of today’s realities, where many resort to some other means to gain success.”
Buhari urged the children of the deceased to build on the remarkable legacies of their father, adding that the best honour they can give him is to live by his good examples.
While condoling the family, the government and the people of Kano State, over the great loss, the president prayed to Allah to bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.
Also, Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, has expressed sadness over the death of the Kano religious leader and businessman, Khalifah Isyaku Rabi’u, describing him as another monumental loss for the Muslim community, coming days after the death of Alhaji Muhammadu Lawal, the Chief Imam of Katsina Central Mosque.
Masari, in a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, yesterday, said the late cleric and leader of the Tijjaniya Movement was a deeply religious, intensely generous and very simple person, whose conduct has impacted positively within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
“Governor Masari condoles with the Governor of Kano State, the Emir of Kano, the leadership and members of the Tijjaniya Muslim sect as well as Alhaji AbdulSamad Isyaku Rabi’u and other members of the immediate family of Khalifah Isyaku Rabi’u, and calls on religious and other leaders to borrow a leaf from the life of the deceased, for the betterment of the society.
“Governor Masari also prays Allah to forgive him all his shortcomings and make Paradise his final resting place, and give the bereaved family the fortitude and courage to bear the loss.