NIGERIA: Atiku Mourns Professor Jibril

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has paid tribute to Professor Jibril Aminu, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday.

According to the former vice president, the academic don passed away at the age of 85.

Atiku in a post a social media described the professor’s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria and humanity.

Atiku, who joined a congregation of Muslim worshippers at the National Mosque in Abuja to perform the funeral prayer (Jana’iza), said the late Professor Aminu was a man of immense intellect, service, and integrity.

The former vice president recounted the late professor’s remarkable career, noting his roles as Minister of Education from 1989 to 1990, Minister of Petroleum between 1990 and 1992, Nigerian Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003, and Senator representing Adamawa Central from 2003 to 2007.

Atiku also highlighted Aminu’s academic distinction, mentioning his time as Visiting Professor of Medicine at Howard University College in Washington between 1979 and 1980.

“His contributions to the field of medicine, academia, and the growth of democracy in Nigeria remain legendary, and his demise is a huge loss to humanity,” Atiku wrote.

He prayed for comfort for the family and friends of the late statesman and asked that his soul be granted Aljannah Firdaus.

Professor Jibril Aminu was widely respected for his intellect, dedication to public service, and commitment to nation-building.

His passing has drawn messages of condolence from across Nigeria’s political and academic communities.