Popular Hausa Musician Known for His Songs for Famous Thieves Dies at 80

 

Speaking to newsmen, Prof. Ally Bunza from the Department of Nigerian Languages at Usman Dan Fodio University in Sokoto, announced that renowned Hausa Musician, Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo, has died at the age of 80 at the Maiyama General Hospital in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Thursday.

 

According to Prof. Bunza, the legendary musician who wrote over 380 songs, and had 69 songs he sang for famous thieves said; "In 2008, he quit music and embraced scholarly work whence he became Maiyama."

 

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Gambo hailed from Fagada Babba, a town in Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State, and although he was named Muhammadu at birth, he was nicknamed Gambo after delving into music. 

 

The name started right from when he was taking part in hunting to the time he started singing for gamblers inside the jungle.

 

Gambo was born in 1936 at Fagada Babba, where he lived as a young child. His father died while he was very young. Muhammadu Gambo grew up in Jega consisting of Fagada, his birthplace.

 

As a young man, he participated in hunting escapades. He was a good shooter using local rifle. He also engaged in traditional wrestling with his peers. He had a very eventful adulthood, and experimented with many businesses like the sale of sweet, mats, fishing rods and so on.

 

He also engaged in gambling and such other businesses. It is only natural for people with such exposure to relate with thieves and other criminals.

 

Late Gambo left behind four wives,16 children and many grand children.

 

Gambo died as a result of protracted illness and had been laid to rest in accordance with the Islamic rites in Maiyama.