Sultan, Sanusi, Dangote Others Pay Last Respects As Isyaku Rabiu Is Laid To Rest

THE remains of Islamic scholar and business mogul, Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu, were yesterday buried at his Goron-dutse residence, with thousands of Muslims faithful in attendance.

The late Rabiu, father of the Chairman of BUA Group of Companies, Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu, died on Monday at a London Hospitalafteraprotractedillness.

He was 93 years and until his death, was leader of Tijjaniyya sect in West Africa. The Chief Imam of Kaulaha Mosque, Senegal, Sheik Tijjani Aliyu Sisa, led thousands of Tijjaniyya sect and sympathisers on funeral rites shortly after the Jumat prayers at 2.30pm.

Earlier, his body arrived at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, from London about 7am and was received by Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and children of the late cleric.

An Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of Kofar Mata Mosque, Sheikh Nasir Adam, described the late Khalifa as a dedicated and committed gentleman, who served as an embodiment of justice and a philanthropist. Acloseconfidentof latesheik Isiaka Rabiu, the Chief Imam said the vacuum created by his death would be very difficult to filled.

Another sympathiser and a business associate, Alhaji Sabiu Bako, described the late philanthropist as “a very simple and humble person and reservoir of knowledge and above all, a philanthropist to the core, who assisted most of the business tycoons in Kano and beyond.”

Among prominent personalities who witnessed the burial were Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi 11; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-gen. Tukur Yusuf Burutai; Deputy Governor of Kano State, Prof Hafiz Abubakar Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.

Others include Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba, former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, prominent businessmen, Islamic scholars and captains of industries.

The late Rabiu left behind wives, 42 children and many grand children.