By Uche Amunike
It was a black Sunday as, not only Aliko’s family, but the Dangote Group Mourn the Late Sani Dangote who, until his death on November 14, 2021 was the Vice President of the Dangote Group.
The late Alhaji Sani Dangote was the only sibling to the richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote.
He died in the United States of America after a protracted illness.
His death was confirmed Sunday night in a short statement released by the Dangote Group.
It read: INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJIUN! It is with a heavy heart but with total submission to Almighty Allah that we announce the passing on of our Group Vice President, Alhaji Sani Dangote today 14th November, 2021.May Allah SWT Grant him mercy and Admit him in Aljannat-al-Firdaus’.
The late Sani Dangote, even though less popular that his billionaire brother, Aliko Dangote made investments in key sectors of the economy including manufacturing, oil services, banking and agriculture.
The Dangote Group mourns him, not just for being their Number two man, but for his leadership qualities which earned him the appointment as Consul-General of the Romanian Embassy in Nigeria.
The late Sani Dangote was also a board member of many other companies including Dansa Food Processing Company Ltd, Dangote Farms Limited, Dangote Textile Mills Ltd, Alfa Insurance Brokers, Dan-Hydro Company Ltd, Nutrasweet Ltd, Gum Arabic Ltd and Nigerian textile Mills PLC.
He was also a member of several Chambers of Commerce and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping in Nigeria, while also occupying the position of Deputy Chairman of the African Gum Arabic Producers Association and President of the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association (FERSAN).
The Dangote Group mourns him also, for his role as Chairman of Dansa Holdings which is a subsidiary of their company that produces beverages.
The deceased younger Brothers of billionaire Aliko Dangote will also be remembered as a professional Polo player who has also served as a two-time President of the Lagos Polo club.
The late businessman also owned Sagas Energy Ltd, Bulk Pack Services Ltd, Dansa Energy and Dansa Agro-Allied Ltd.
Sani and his billionaire brother, Aliko were born into an ethnic Muslim family and were brought up in comfort by their parents, Alhaji Mohammed Dangote and Hajiya Maryan Sanusi Dantata. Their wealthy father, who had a steady source of income, gave them the best of education and give them a very good life as children and adolescents. The late Sani and Aliko attended private schools and Aliko’s business prowess was evident even as far back as then, as he would buy box candles when going to school and sell to his fellow children, so as to make profit. So this showed signs of an early business orientation even at such a tender age.
The late Sani was a member of the alumni of the Harvard Business School in the United States of America. He was also a pioneer member of Nigerian Agri Business Forum during the Federal government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
The Dangote Group mourns Alhaji Sani, knowing that together with the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, they worked hard to make their business empire a formidable one in Nigeria and beyond the African continent.
