As Federal University Honours Late Umaru Shinkafi: His Accolades Remain Fresh In The Hearts

As Federal University Honours Late Umaru Shinkafi: His Accolades Remain Fresh In The Hearts

By Al-Amin Ciroma

Saturday 25th January, 2020 was exactly 1,298 days, barely three, years six months and 19 days, since the painful demise of Nigeria’s former Security Organisation boss, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi (Marafan Sokoto), but his accolades were resurrected and revived at the maiden edition of the convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Gusau.

It was the day the academic union, management staff and students, including special guests of honour stood in firm for the late Marafan Sokoto, for a befitting posthumous awards. It was righteously proven that the gesture was a well-deserved, in recognition of the Late Shinkafi and his immense contribution to national development.

The academic and non-academic unions of the Federal University of Gusau, through a letter to Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, wife of Kebbi State Governor and a daughter of the late Shinkafi stated that the institute, after a careful study and deliberations, has found out that the Late Marafan Sokoto, as a national figure is worthy for the honour.

In a letter sent to Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, the Federal University of Gusau said that the institute is set to honour her late father for his immense contributions to the development of education in Zamfara State during the maiden convocation ceremony of the university.

Also expressing his appreciation to the elated institute, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on behalf of his wife Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu and the entire family of Late Marafan Sokoto, registered his sincere gratitude for the special posthumous award bestowed on the Late Shinkafi.

Governor Bagudu also felicitates with the university for its first convocation ceremony of 794 student graduates, Governor Atiku said that the award is exemplary. Describing the late Marafan Sokoto, Kebbi State governor said he was an expert whose contributions to the development of all sectors, including his passion for education, especially girl child in Nigeria remains indelible. He said the Late Shinkafi dedicated his entire life towards supporting education, and was well-regarded, revered and respected by all and sundry, was widely recognised as a bridge builder, educationist and peace lover.

He stated that the late Marafa of Sokoto’s passion for girl child education is best seen in his wife’s passion for the upliftment and support of girl child education in Nigeria today, “Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu is not just a governor’s wife, she is more passionate about the cause of girl-child education. She got all these qualities from her late father, may his soul continue to rest in peace,” he said.

Governor Bagudu who spoke with the Vice Chancellor and all top members of academic union of the university reiterated that Kebbi State will sponsor a project for the university, “On behalf of the state government, and in honour of the late Marafa, we will personally sponsor for the development of the institution,” he said.

Governor Bagudu also announced his commitment and that of his wife, Her Excellency, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu on behalf of the entire family to promote girl-child education in the university by endowing N100,000 prize annually to female students with the best GPA at the completion of their UG I and BSC Degrees in courses that include, Accounting, Micro Biology, English Language, Geology, Islamic Studies and Arabic. He said this would serve as a mark of respect and honour to the late Marafan Sokoto.

He also pledged that students of the university who emerged as best graduating students in BSC Geology, Political Science, Biology Chemistry, BA Arabic and Islamic Studies as well as BA in International Studies would also get N100,000 each in honor of the late Umar Shinkafi. The governor said that his wife, Her excellency, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu as one of the leading advocate for cancer eradication and Director, Union for the International Cancer Control would collaborate with the university in that direction.

Also delivering his speech, the Governor of Zamfara State, and the Chief Host of the occasion, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, the convocation is indeed historical taking into account that it is the first to be conducted by the University since its establishment in 2013, he congratulate the students who have devoted their time, and made enormous sacrifices in the pursuit of knowledge for reaching this great height where they will receive the reward of their hard work for academic excellence and sound moral character.

He said, within the first 100 days of his administration, his government paid the sum of N300,000,000 to NECO out of the backlog of N1,200,000,000 inherited by his administration, and the sum of N100,000,000 out of N1,300,000,000 owed to WAEC. According to Dr. Matawalle, his government have also settled WAEC registration fees for Key Science Academy amounting to N229,615,000 for 171 students of the school from 2011 to 2019.

Governor Matawalle, who is also one of the recipients of award at the institute, said, “I would like to express my most profound appreciation to the University for considering me worthy of an award at this historic event. I thank you very much. I assure you that I will continue to lend my support to this University at all times. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the graduates, the parents, award recipients, and other well-wishers for witnessing this convocation ceremony. May it benefit you and the entire society,” he said.

Also present at the event were former Zamfara State Governor Alhaji Mahmuda Shinkafi, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, and other numerous other guests.

Unquestionably, the Late Marafa has distinctive feature of alms giving, and charitable deeds. He was described as a departed politician and technocrat as an expert whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria remains indelible. While holding the position of the country’s national security organisation boss and a federal commissioner for internal affairs, Late Shinkafi played frontline roles in the activities leading to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.

Observers see Late Marafan Sokoto as a peace ambassador, he was one of the promoters of the Nigerian National Congress, a political association formed in 1989 after the disbanding of political groups by the administration of former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

History reports that all his years in the public service, the Late Marafan Sokoto distinguished himself as a patriot, committed and dedicated Nigerian, his selfless and meritorious service to God, country and humanity, was felt by all. He was a distinguished legal luminary, security expert, politician with conscience, a great community leader and mobiliser.

Most present and past leaders in Nigeria describes Late Shinkafi as an accomplished lawyer, and a great gentleman of highest repute. His death has closed a chapter in the life of one Nigeria’s most valuable public officers, who made landmark in both public and private sectors. His memories will surely remain fresh in the hearts of well-meaning Nigerians and the world at large. Late Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi (Marafan S¬¬okoto) died in a London hospital on July 6, 2016 at the age of 79.