Tribute to Alhaji Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi ‘Bisije’, Marafan Sokoto

On Wednesday 6th July 2016, Nigeria lost one of its finest politicians, a gentleman to the core, a spy master, and a very calm and humble person, Alhaji Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi, Marafan Sokoto. The word “Bisije” is the Hausa version of BCGA – British Cotton Growers Association – of which the late Alhaji Aliyu, Marafa’s […]

On Wednesday 6th July 2016, Nigeria lost one of its finest politicians, a gentleman to the core, a spy master, and a very calm and humble person, Alhaji Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi, Marafan Sokoto.
The word “Bisije” is the Hausa version of BCGA – British Cotton Growers Association – of which the late Alhaji Aliyu, Marafa’s father, was an agent.
Marafa’s father was a prominent business man who came all the way from the old Borno province precisely Gasma, in the present Yobe State and settled in Shinkafi.
Marafa has always maintained his relationship with his root, to his credit, he along with the late Dahiru Jidda (CP), led the late Mai Bade, Alhaji Sale Suleiman II to the palace, after the Court of Appeal pronounced him as the Emir of Bade.
Even of recent, when Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman succeeded Mai Sale, he was around to solicit for the cooperation of the people of Bade towards the success of his reign.
It is therefore not surprising that Mai Bade was in Sokoto along with his brothers, sisters and some members of his council to condole the late Marafa’s family, the Sultan and people of Zamfara and Sokoto States.
I came in contact with Marafa in 1979 while undergoing my law school, I stayed in his place, along with late Ja’afaru Aliyu Shinkafi, his younger brother who died in a motor accident, since we maintained our friendship.
Marafa has succeeded in strengthening the relationship of the Sultanate and the Borno Empire and in fact is by no means easy honour to have been buried in Hubbare, where princes of the Sokoto Caliphate are being buried.
He was unanimously presented by the Northwest delegation of ACF as its chairman (NEC) after the expiration of Alhaji Aliko Mohammed’s tenure, but he honorably declined given his failing health situation as a reason.
In politics, he has made a very significant mark; I recall even in ANPP in Yobe, he made substantial contributions that I personally gave to the then chairman, Alhaji Jinjiri Abubakar. Marafa’s capacity for maintaining relationship and caring for those left behind by friends and relations is unbeatable.
I have had the privilege of being with him at St. Johns Wood Place, London from Wednesday 1st June to Thursday 2nd June and he was then having physiotherapy on his legs. It was only on Friday when I came to bid him farewell that I had to meet him in his room, we prayed and I left; that was the last time I would see this great personality.
To all his three wives, Hajiya Damo, Hajiya Rakiya and Hajiya Lubba; his children, Zainab, Fatima, Hadiza, Hafsat and Ahmadu Sardauna, your consolation is that your father lived and died a fulfilled person and what we saw at the burial was a testimony of the greatness of the deceased, may Allah (SWT) grant you the fortitude to bear this great loss.
May Allah (SWT) forgive Marafa and grant him Jannatil Firdausi, Aameen.

Amb. Ibrahim Mai Sule, Turakin Bade.