By Levinus Nwabughiogu

President Muhammadu Buhari has regretted that former renown politician and Marafan Sokoto, late  Umaru Shinkafi died when his experience and wisdom were “badly needed in the efforts to move Nigeria forward.” He however said that the deceased distinguished himself and would live beyond the grave because the country would continue to remember his immeasurable contributions for years to come.

Alhaji Shinkafi

President Buhari expressed this opinion  in a special message to the family, the government and the people of Sokoto State on the occasion of Shinkafi’s burial on Friday in Sokoto. President Buhari said history would kindly remember Shinkafi for his immense contributions to public administration, democracy and politics as well as the rule of law. The message which was conveyed by a federal government delegation led by the Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), President Buhari noted “that the late Shinkafi had proved himself to be a de-tribalised politician who was able to demonstrate that it was possible for Nigerians to overcome politics based on ethnic, religious and regional sentiments.”

The president also said that he would “always hold the late Marafan Sokoto in the high esteem because of his zealous and deep commitment to building bridges of unity, tolerance, love, understanding and above all, peaceful coexistence among the diverse groups that make up the Nigerian population.” He said “when a man made a mark in his own right, as Shinkafi did, history and posterity would always remember his contributions to the country or his society.”

Members of the delegation included the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Minister of Defence Brig-General Mansur Dan Ali (red), the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu and Minister of State Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika. Others were the Director-General of the SSS, Lawal Daura and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Speaking at the event, Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar 111 expressed deep appreciation to the President for identifying with the people of the state in their bereavement.