The Association of Small Scale Miners of Nigeria (ASSMN) Zamfara State Chapter , and the Nigerian Chamber of Mines and Geological Workers have applauded the reappointment of the Executive Secretary of Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI), Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi, by President Bola Tinubu.

In separate statements, the leadership of the associations expressed gratitudes to President Tinubu: “It’s a well-considered appointment that will further consolidate, deepen, and strengthen the solid minerals sector.”

The Chairman of ASSMN, Abubakar Rabiu, also  congratulated Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi on President Tinubu’s renewal of her appointment and urged her to justify the confidence Nigerians reposed in her to drive the non-oil sector of the economy in tandem with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda of a prosperous, equitable, and just democratic nation.

The association praised Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi for her dedication and commitment to developing the solid minerals sector in Nigeria.

This sector has attracted foreign investors, empowered local miners, and provided jobs to thousands of youths, thus contributing significantly to the country’s gross domestic product.

According to the association, Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi is a paragon of excellence and will be motivated to take the solid minerals sector to the next level.

“The association is proud of Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi and will support her leadership of SMDS/PAGMI in revamping the nation’s economy and providing citizens with democratic dividends.

“We urge Nigerians to support this woman of destiny in our collective quest for a better society,” said Abubakar Rabiu.

Similarly,  the Nigerian Chambers of Mines, Geological Workers, also throw its weight behind Fatima’s reappointment.

With a deep understanding of the solid minerals sector’s challenges and prospects, she will effectively tackle illegal mining, poor regulatory compliance and formulate policies that promote best practices in the industry.

The Association’s  Chairman, Silas Kefas, described her reappointment as a well thought out decision and underscored the government’s confidence in her impactful leadership aimed at harnessing the solid minerals sector’s full potential and economic diversification essential for sustainable development and prosperity.

“A visionary leader and master strategist in the solid minerals industry, Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi’s laudable reform has revolutionalized the sector, attracted local and foreign investors and repositioned Nigeria as a competitive player in the global minerals market.

“With a renewed mandate, the solid minerals industry will witness significant advancement in the promotion of artisanal gold mining and value chain development, capacity building, job creation, infrastructural development, enhanced export capacity, financial prudence and significant contribution to the country’s gross domestic product that will revive the economy and foster prosperity to citizens.

With a deep understanding of the solid minerals sector’s challenges and prospects, she will effectively tackle illegal mining, poor regulatory compliance and formulate policies that promote best practices in the industry.

“We recall with pride the recent SMDF’s empowerment programme for 1000 women entrepreneurs in gemstone mining and utilisation as part of efforts towards contributing to the nation’s economic diversification starting with 100 womenparticipants in Lagos.

We are optimistic that thousands of women and youth will benefit from this worthy programme that will improve their well-being and make them self-reliant.

“We identify with Fatima Umaru-Shinkafi’s remarkable leadership and will always partner with SMDF/PAGMI to take the solid minerals sector to greater heights.

“We are all in it together to diversify and revamp the economy in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Congratulations to the great Amazon of the solid minerals sector. It is a well-deserved re-appointment for continuity, development and advancement of SMDF/PAGMI.”