Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, have expressed grief over the death of the Chairman of Chanchangi Airlines, Amadu Chanchangi.

Chanchangi died in the early hours of Wednesday along Kaduna-Abuja road while being transported to a hospital in Abuja after a protracted illness.

Two mourners fainted as a result of exhaustion and hot weather as a mammoth crowd attended the burial in the Tudun wada area of Kaduna.

Thousands of sympathisers had trekked to escort the ambulance carrying the body of the billionaire businessman from his residence at Kwanan Chanchangi through Ibrahim Taiwo Road and Bashama Road to the Muslim cemetery, causing a gridlock along the three-kilometre route.

The Governor described the death of Chanchangi as a colossal loss to humanity, considering the life he lived, while the Senator said he lived for others and gave his live to others.

In a statement issued by El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan in Kaduna on Thursday, the Governor was quoted as saying, “The death of Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi is a colossal loss to humanity, considering the life of philanthropy and service to humanity he lived.

“Thousands benefited immensely from his philanthropy that cut across scholarship to indigents, jobs to the unemployed and deep commitment to the work of Allah in different fronts. He spearheaded several infrastructural developments in Kaduna State and beyond.

“He was a pillar and a mobiliser for peace and harmony that we lost at a critical time we needed him most but Allah in his infinite mercy knows better.

“On behalf of government and people of Kaduna State, we condole with his immediate family, associates and the entire people of Kaduna State. May Almighty Allah grant his soul Aljanna Firdausi. Ameen.”

Similarly, in his condolence message posted on Face Book on Thursday, Sani described Chanchangi as a man who died lifting millions from ignorance and illiteracy and gave hope to generations of young people.

“I received the sad news of the passing away of one of Northern Nigeria's foremost industrialists and philanthropists.

“He lived a fulfilled and accomplished life of service to his people and to his faith. He was a rich man of the poor.

He lived with the poor, served the poor and dedicated his material wealth to the advancement of peace and unity amongst diverse peoples and communities,” the Senator said.

The Senator also described him as a symbol of selfless and tireless commitment and dedication to the cause of the poor within his community and his reach.

“He lived for others and gave his life to others. He inspired others with his success and challenged the wealthy to his path.

The late Chanchangi left a legacy and a lesson of hope and humanity in the heart of those who were privileged to know or meet him.

“He was a long distance runner who overcame the bad and the worst of a hostile nation.

“He will be missed but will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace and rise in glory of his Lord,” Sani added.

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