The President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Friday narrated the pain of how he watched his brother, Sani Dangote, die. He described the experience as tormenting.
Dangote disclosed this when a former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, paid a condolence visit to the family in Kano.
Sani, who served as the Vice-President of the Dangote Group, died in the United States of America on Sunday and was laid to rest on Wednesday at the Alhassan Dantata family cemetery in Koki quarters (Sarari) of Kano metropolis.
Dignitaries, including the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, governors, businessmen and many others expressed their condolences to the family.
The News Agency of Nigeria quoted Dangote as saying, “It is a very tough time for us; it has been very trying, especially for myself. Having a brother like him; once you lose him it is really very painful. He died in front of me, our mother and all his children.
“The most painful thing is when you are told that your brother will pass on in about an hour and you stand by watching as the machine was going down until it stopped working. It was very tormenting.”
Dangote, who is Africa’s richest man, thanked Tinubu for visiting the family. He also thanked others present, adding that their presence would help to reduce the pain of their loss. He added, “Your Excellency, you are our host because you are the governor of all of us and we really thank you for taking almost the whole week struggling with the crowds, it’s not easy.
“I thank you all for all your prayers and your support. This will actually help us to reduce the pain that we are going through.”
Tinubu told Dangote that he was shocked to hear about Sani’s death. He described the deceased as a gentleman during his lifetime.
“I call on the family to take heart and continue to pray for the repose of the soul of late Sani Dangote. We are here not to just commiserate or console you, we are here to mourn our dear brother.’’
PUNCH
