Northern groups, ministry differ on solid minerals sector appointments
Two northern groups, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to review his appointment and consider Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani as Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI).
President-General of AYCF, Yerima Shettima and Chairman of NAN, Salifu Suleiman, expressed concerns over what they described as a “mix-up” in the appointments announced on December 6, 2024.
Shettima, in a statement yesterday, acknowledged the contributions of Hajia Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi, who was reappointed to the role after Danfulani’s initial appointment was reversed.
He argued that the sector required a new leadership to achieve greater heights while highlighting Danfulani’s background in banking, computing, and business administration, as well as his experience at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and as Zamfara State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry.
According to the AYCF, Danfulani’s innovative approach and expertise make him an ideal candidate to implement the Renewed Hope Agenda for the solid minerals sector.
Urging the President to prioritise the sector’s growth, the NAN Chairman, Suleiman, noted that the Solid Minerals Development Fund and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative were crucial components of Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy and boost non-oil revenue.
He called for reconsideration of Danfulani’s appointment, stressing that, “it comes at a time when the country is seeking to drive reforms in the solid minerals sector.”
Suleiman highlighted the importance of appointing a leader with the right expertise and vision to lead the SMDF/PAGMI, believing that the success of these initiatives hinges on the appointment of a leader with the right expertise and vision to drive them forward.
HOWEVER, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), affirmed Umaru-Shinkafi’s reappointment, stating that the exercise was in line with the laws governing the agency.
Addressing controversies surrounding the decision, the ministry clarified that the SMDF Act does not specify term limits for its Chief Executive Officers (CEOs).
A statement by the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations of MSMD, Mrs Chinwe Ekwugha, observed: “Our attention has been drawn to misinformation making the rounds on the reappointment of Hajia Fatima Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of SMDF, as approved by the President.
“Our attention has been drawn to misinformation making the rounds in some quarters on the reappointment of Hajia Fatima Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of SMDF, as approved by the President.
“The approval, done weeks ago, followed due process and aligns with the extant laws governing the agency, as well as the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) 2007.”
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