Lasum Complex

11/06/2026

FROM MARAFAN TO MARAFAN

One of the greatest leaders, elder statesmen and politicians that Nigeria ever had was Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi OFR, the Marafan Sokoto.

He was a respected lawyer and a highly acclaimed and eagle-eyed police officer and in 1979 during the administration of President Shehu Shagari he was appointed as the head of the now defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), Nigeria's premier and dreaded intelligenct agency.

He was the father and founder of Nigeria's 3-tier Intelligence Agencies of the DSS, NIA and DMI and these agencies were all established as a consequence of the recommendations of the commitee that he headed under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

He was also a presidential aspirant on the platform of the now defunct NRC in 1992 and lost the nomination as flagbearer for the party by a very narrow margin to Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, the Madakin Fika and the former Minister of Finance, Agriculture and Industry respectively in the Government of President Shehu Shagari.

I had the distinct honor and privilege of being very close to Marafan and was more like a son to him rather than just a political mentee or protegee.

He brought me into politics in 1990 after my late and beloved father, Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode, the former Deputy Premier of the old Western Region, the former Regional Minister of Chieftaincy and Local Government Afffairs and the Balogun of Ife, handed me over to him and the Babangida regime lifted the ban on politics.

Marafan, his right hand man, the late and brilliant lawyer and former National Chairman of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Dr. Hameed Kusamotu and General Halilu Akilu, the Head of Military Intelligence in General Babangida's Government taught me, led me, guided me and protected me for all those years and in 1992 I was appointed as not just as Marafan's Special Assistant during the presidential campaign but also the official spokesman of Choice '92 his presidential ca

11/06/2026

Alh Umar Shinkafi Marafan Sokoto

Alhaji Umaru Shinkafı

Marafan Sokoto

He was a distinguished Nigerian statesman and security expert born in January 1937 in Kaura Namoda, old Sokoto Province (now Zamfara State). His educational journey began with Quranic studies, followed by enrollment at Kaura Namoda Elementary School, Sokoto Middle School, and Barewa College, Zaria. He later graduated with a law degree from the University of Lagos in 1973 and was called to the bar in 1974.

He joined the police force in 1959, rising through the ranks to become Commissioner of Police. Notably, he headed the Special Branch in East Central State during the Nigerian Civil War. Federal Commissioner of Internal In 1975, he was appointed by General Murtala Mohammed's administration, contributing significantly to internal security, prison construction, border security, and immigration issues. Director-General, Nigeria Security Organisation (NSO): He led the NSO from 1979, playing a crucial role in domestic and foreign intelligence.

After resigning from public service in 1983, Shinkafi continued to serve in various capacities. Chairman, Presidential Panel on NSO Reorganisation. He led a committee that recommended the restructuring of the NSO into three entities: State Security Service (SSS), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and National Intelligence Agency (NIA). Pro-Chancellor, Sokoto State University. He contributed to the academic institution's growth and development.

Shinkafi's legacy extends beyond public service. He was known for assisting those in need.

The Sokoto State Government renamed the Sokoto State Polytechnic to Umaru Shinkafı Polytechnic, Sokoto, in his honor.

He passed away on July 6, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to public service and security.

Source: Mustapha Lawal Private Collection

Nigerianostalgia

11/06/2026

Welcome Address
By the Executive Secretary / CEO, Solid Minerals Development Fund,Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi
At the Launch of the SMDF EMERGE Grant Programme Abuja, June 2026.

The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Henry Dele Alake,The Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Solid Minerals Development,
Heads of Agencies and Parastatals in the Solid Minerals sector,
Deputy-Governor, Economic Policy of the CBN
Captains of industry, investors and operators;
Vice Chancellors, researchers and members of the academic community,
Distinguished members of the press,
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

All protocols duly observed.

It is my honour and privilege, on behalf of the Management and Staff of the Solid Minerals
Development Fund, to welcome you most warmly to the launch of the EMERGE
Programme.
Your presence here this morning is a clear affirmation of our shared belief in the promise of Nigeria's solid minerals sector, and I thank each of you for honouring our
invitation.

EMERGE, the Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment, is a
competitively awarded grant facility designed to address one of the most persistent gaps
in our sector:
the shortage of early-stage capital for exploration, for critical minerals, and
for research and development.
I will not pre-empt the detailed presentations that follow,
save to say that EMERGE places catalytic funding directly in the hands of our explorers,
our universities and our research institutions, so that more of our promising projects can move from potential to proof.

EMERGE, however, does not stand alone. It is the latest expression of a deliberate reform agenda that the Fund has pursued to reposition mining finance in Nigeria.

Established as Nigeria's sovereign fund to catalyse private sector-led investment in the sector,the SMDF
invests to de-risk projects, to crowd in private capital, and to build the data and capacity on which sound investment depends. We pursue this mandate across our

12/05/2026

KALLACE MUKE DASU WLH!!!

Akwai wadanda bayan kammala zaben kato-bayan-kato za Ku rika ganin su sun zo mubayi'a a gidan Sarauniyar Kasar Hausa amma Kuma a yanzu Basu tare da ita, to Ku sani muna sane da ku🙄

Da yardar Allah, Dr. ita ce Sanata Mai wakiltar Zamfara ta tsakiya a 2027.

07/05/2026

Allahumma As'alukal Min Kulli Khairi minhu Sa'alaka Nabiyi muhammad SAW

03/05/2026

Amincin Allahu yatabbata agareku Yan uwa

29/04/2026

Garwashi gidan Mal Sani

29/04/2026

26/03/2026

A yau ne Baba na yake cika Shekara 13 Da rasuwa Sakamakon Harbi Dabyan Boko Haram Sukayi Masa bayan kammala Sallar Asuba acikin Masallaci Allah kaji kansa Da Rahama Kasa Aljannah ce makomarsa Ameen
Late. Lawan Umar Mada
Allah yajikanka BABA

26/03/2026

Alhamdulillah