By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Arch. Mohammed Namadi Sambo GCON was born on August 2, 1954. He’s aged 68 as at 2022.
He is the fifth child in a family of ten.
Sambo was born to Malam Sambo in Zaria, Northern Nigeria.
The politician and an architect served as a Governor of Kaduna State before becoming the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Education
Namadi attended Baptist Primary School in Kakuri, Kaduna, then Kobi Primary School in Bauchi and Towns School No. 1 in Zaria.
He then proceeded to Government Secondary School (now Alhuda-Huda College), in Zaria.
from 1967 until 1971, where he earned his secondary school education.
In 1972, Namadi Sambo attended the School of Basic Studies at Ahmadu Bello University before joining the Department of Architecture, of the same institution to earn his bachelor’s degree with honours (BSc (Hons)). He opted for a master’s degree in architecture afterwards.
Non-political Career
In 1979, during his one-year mandatory national service, he worked with the Oyo State Ministry of Works and Housing
Later on, he went ahead to practice privately as an architect before he was appointed as the Commissioner of Agriculture in 1986.
He was later moved to head the Ministry of Works, Transport, and Housing in 1988.
He also served as the managing director of the Fulani Construction Company in Gombe.
Following his appointment, he actively contributed to the building of DadinKowa Secondary School, which is now a polytechnic, as well as numerous other educational facilities and housing projects.
Namadi Sambo left the public service in 1990 to start an architectural firm, Environmental Design Consortium, which later became Coplan Associates.
During this period, Sambo consulted for the State and Federal governments, as well as the World Bank.
Political Career
In 2007, Sambo was elected as the Governor of Kaduna State under the PDP before his appointment as the vice president of Nigeria in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
As governor of Kaduna State, Sambo had an 11-point agenda that included issues of state security as well as focusing on youth and women empowerment in society.
He was chosen by Nigeria’s then-president Goodluck Jonathan to become vice president while still serving as governor.
Marriage
Sambo is married to Amina Sambo, born into the prominent Abdu Lukat family in Kano.
Sambo and Amina have two children including Saleh Abdu Lukat.
Net worth
Namadi Sambo’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 Million and $5 Million. NewsWireNGR however cannot independently verify this.
He amasses his wealth from his private business and being a public servant
Achievements
As an Architect, Sambo was very instrumental in the architectural designing of offices and residential quarters of the government officials when Bauchi state was created.
He also played a prominent role in the designing of the Yankari Games Reserve Holiday Resort
As governor of Kaduna State, Sambo had an 11-point plan with a particular emphasis on empowering local women and young people and addressing state security.
His greatest achievement was in the area of security, which was crucial in Kaduna because of prior racial conflict. In order to combat crime in the state, he initiated “Operation Yaki”, a task force that included the military, the police, and other security services.
As a former vice president, Sambo is a recipient of the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Controversy
Sambo during his tenure as Kaduna State Governor was criticized for not keeping his campaign promises.
He failed to provide basic social amenities as a governor.
An online source reported that Sambo was accused of amassing wealth for himself as governor of Kaduna State and also plunging the state into huge debts.
Origin and name allegation
Upon his appointment as a Vice president, Sambo was accused of falsifying his state of origin. An online publication claims Sambo is not from Kaduna but from Edo State.
When asked why his origin is shrouded in secrecy, he said “I am not aware of my origin being shrouded in any secrecy. I have a large family that is well known.”
It was further alleged that his name “Namadi” is an hausanization of “Nnamdi”. Linking him to former Nigeria president, Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Namadi however stated in an interview that there is no relationship between both names.
“No. No relationship. In the Hausa community if you are born on a “Sallah day” after Ramadan you are given the name Namadi, meaning that you belong to the Holy City of Madina. I was born on “Sallah” day which Muslims consider an important holy and good luck day. I am therefore always thankful to Almighty Allah for delivering me to the world on a “Goodluck day.” He said.
EFCC raid
It was reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided an office complex in Abuja belonging to former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
According to the reports, documents like banking transactions and inventory of properties within and outside Nigeria were recovered from the raid.
The source further states that it traced several properties thought to be Sambo’s in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Sambo’s spokesman however stated that the former number two man is clean from all allegations against him.
“We are confident that nothing negative will be found about the former vice president. They are on a wild goose chase.” He said.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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