President Bola Tinubu on Thursday paid tribute to former Minister of Education, Prof. Jibril Aminu, a respected academic and political leader, who died at the age of 85.
Tinubu, who extended his condolences to the government and the people of Adamawa, described Aminu’s death as a profound loss to the nation, adding the deceased epitomised statesmanship.
In the tribute, Tinubu stated that the late professor left remarkable imprints in the sands of time: “May he find eternal rest in Aljana Firdaus. And may Allah forgive his sins.”
The President said Aminu, a professor of cardiology, was one of Nigeria’s most decorated medical professionals who straddled his profession and politics exceptionally, bringing erudition and brilliance to statecraft.
“In his professional life, he earned many laurels for his grit, hard work, and expertise.
He was a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, a fellow of the West African College of Physicians, and a fellow of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College.
He was also a Consultant in medicine, Senior Lecturer and Sub-Dean of clinical Studies at the University of Ibadan Medical School (1973–1975).
Aminu was Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (1975–1979), visiting Professor of Medicine at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington DC (1979–1980), and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (1980–1985).
He served meritoriously in public service as Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003 and as senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District from 2003 to 2011.
He also served as Minister of Education and then Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992).
“He epitomised statesmanship and was committed to building a greater Nigeria,” Tinubu wrote.
