Buhari, Atiku Mourn Rabiu, Describe Him as Epitome of Scholarship, Entrepreneurship

• Kano government declares Friday work-free day to honour businessman

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, wednesday 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.

Buhari, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said: “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.”

He also quoted the president as saying, “the late Rabiu had the remarkable qualities of combining scholarship and vast business investments that created job opportunities for hundreds of people.”

He added: “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.”

The statement also said Buhari urged the children of the deceased to build on the remarkable legacy of their father, adding that the best honour they could do for him is to live by his good examples.

It also said the president condoled the family, the government and the people of Kano State over this great loss and prayed “to Allah to bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.”

On his part, Atiku said the death of Rabiu has robbed Northern Nigeria and indeed the nation of one of its greatest and most enterprising investors who rose to prominence by sheer dint of hard work.

The former vice president said Rabiu was one of Northern Nigeria’s earliest and successful investors who created jobs for others to earn a living.

According to him “Rabiu’s successes and entrepreneurial spirit had motivated many younger Northern investors like myself who feel that, once you are resourceful, you can achieve success in every endeavour of life.”

Atiku explained: “Rabiu didn’t attain success by mere luck, but used personal initiative to achieve his life’s goals.”

The Waziri Adamawa added that success “is not for the timid or those who are afraid to take risks to achieve prosperity.”

He explained that Rabiu was not only remarkable as a successful industrialist, but he was also a great Islamic scholar who was widely respected.

These enviable virtues, he said, had made Rabiu to stand tall like a colossus. He prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased for his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Al-Jannah.
Meanwhile, the late renowned businessman, will be buried on Friday.

Family sources confided in THISDAY that the remains of the renowned Islamic scholar billionaires would be flown to Nigeria today. Another impeccable sources hinted that the funeral prayer is to be conducted at the Emir of Kano’s palace, immediately after juma’at prayers. High profile personalities within and outside the country are expected to grace the funeral.

Rabiu died on Tuesday at the age of 90 in a London hospital after a protracted illness. He left behind wives, many children and grandchildren.

Among his children are: Abdussamad Isyaku Rabi’u, the Chief Executive Officer of the BUA International Company.
The eldest daughter, Hajiya Amina Isyaku Rabiu, described the death of her father as a colossal loss to the family, state and the nation.

Amina, who was devastated by the death, said the billionaire businessman was irreplaceable in service to Islamic religion in the country.

She prayed Allah to grant his soul eternal rest in Jannatul Firdausi, and accord the family and entire people of the country the fortitude to bear the loss.

Another daughter of the deceased, Hajiya Sadiya Isyaku Rabiu, who was crying profusely, said she had never been so grief in her life.

Describing her love for the deceased as unprecedented, she stated that she hardly spent a day without calling him on phone to hear his voice.

Despite being shocked, Hajiya Sadiya went spiritual, saying: “I believe death is inevitable. I believe we will all follow our father. I pray to Allah to forgive him and give him an eternal bliss. “

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has declared Friday a work-free day in honour of Rabi’u.
In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, wednesday he
revealed that the holiday was declared to enable Muslims in the state attend the funeral prayer for the deceased.
According to him, the funeral prayer would take place at the Sheikh Isyaku Rabi’u Juma’at Mosque, Goron Dutse, in Kano metropolis.

The statement confirmed that the remains of the deceased would arrive Kano today from London.