7th July, 2016
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has commiserated with the government and people of Zamfara state and all Nigerians over the death of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Marafan Sokoto.
Dogara, in a statement issued by his spokesman Turaki Hassan, in Lagos on Wednesday, described the death of the elder statesman as a huge loss to the nation.
He said that Shinkafi was a true democrat who contributed immensely towards the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999.
“In all his years in the public service, Shinkafi distinguished himself as a patriot, committed and dedicated Nigerian.
“He served the nation with distinction as a lawyer, police officer, federal commissioner of internal affairs and intelligence chief in the National Security Organisation before joining politics.”
The speaker said that the late Shinkafi was a bridge-builder, cosmopolitant and lived exemplary live worthy of emulation.
“Our hearts go to his immediate family, government and people of Zamfara state over the irreparable loss,” he said.
The late Shinkafi died today in a London hospital, aged 79.