President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Tambuwal have mourned former boss of the National Security Organisation (NSO), Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, who died Wednesday afternoon at a London hospital.
Shinkafi, a Federal Commissioner of Internal Affairs in 1975, was also a presidential aspirant during the Third Republic.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President described the deceased as an expert whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria remains indelible
The President recalled that the deceased played frontline roles in the activities leading to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in the country.
He called on family members, friends and associates of the departed community leader, who held the Marafan Sokoto traditional title, to take solace in the fact that he played the roles assigned to him diligently, conscientiously and patriotically.
Buhari also enjoined them to emulate the good virtues that he left behind, praying that Almighty Allah will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
In a message of condolence issued in Sokoto by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described Shinkafi as a distinguished legal luminary, security expert, politician with conscience and great community leader and mobiliser.
“Marafa’s death has closed a chapter in the life of one Nigeria’s most valuable public officers who made his mark in both public and private sectors. He was a truly passionate Nigerian whose invaluable contributions to issues of national interest will be greatly missed.
“His law office served as training ground for many aspiring lawyers in Sokoto State and beyond,” Tambuwal said.
While condoling with Shinkafi’s immediate family, the people and government of Zamfara State and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Tambuwal prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
