Vice-President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, led mourners at the funeral prayers for the late elder statesman, former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu, at the Abuja National Mosque.
Aminu, a one-time President, African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (OPEC), passed on in Abuja, after a prolonged illness.
The Vice-President, who commiserated with the family of the deceased, prayed to Allah to comfort them and make Aljanna Firdaus the final abode of deceased.
Shettima said that the demise of Prof Aminu was a great loss to the nation, adding that the late surgeon, educationist and administrator was as a man who saw it all.
He said that the deceased was an intellectual giant, who it would be hard to replace.
“It is a very sad loss. Prof Jibril 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 Honourable 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.
“His loss is not just to the good people of Adamawa State, but to the nation and Africa at large.”
Born in Song, Adamawa in 1939, Prof. Aminu was a towering figure in Nigerian public life.
The late Consultant Cardiologist served the nation in different capacities, including as Federal Minister of Education and later Federal Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992).
He was also an Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States (1999–2003), and Senator representing Adamawa Central (2003–2011).
Northern Governors mourn Ex-Petroleum Minister, Jubril Aminu
Meanwhile, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has expressed deep grief over the death of renowned scholar, elder statesman and diplomat, Professor Jubril Aminu, who passed away in Abuja on Thursday.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Aide, Mr Ismaila Uba-Misilli.
Yahaya described the late Aminu as an iconic figure whose remarkable legacy in public service, diplomacy and academia would 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 University of Maiduguri to his roles as Minister of Education,” he said.
The governor also acknowledged Aminu’s role as the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Nigerian Ambassador to the United States and later, a senator representing Adamawa Central where, he said, the deceased exemplified excellence and commitment to national development.
He described Aminu’s death as not only a personal loss to his family and Adamawa but to Nigeria, especially the Northern zone where he played key roles in shaping educational and socio-political landscapes.
“On behalf of the Northern governors, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Adamawa State, and all Nigerians mourning the loss of this distinguished statesman,” he said.
Yahaya prayed Allah to forgive Aminu’s shortcomings, reward his lifetime of service and grant him Aljannat Firdaus.