Tamba Lamina

Tamba Lamina
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 June 2019
Preceded byAnthony Brewah
Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
In office
2 August 2018 – May 2019
Succeeded byMorie Komba Manyeh
Personal details
BornKoidu, Kono District, Sierra Leone
SpouseSalma Lamina
Alma materFourah Bay College
London School of Journalism
Oxford Brookes University
King's College London

Tamba John Sylvanus Lamina is a Sierra Leonean politician and diplomat. He is the current Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in the cabinet of Julius Maada Bio, serving since 2019.

Early life

Born in Koidu, he is a member of the Kono ethnic group.[1] After attending the prestigious Bo School, he received bachelor's degrees in politics, philosophy & history and in education from Fourah Bay College in 1986 and 1987, respectively. He moved to London, where he studied journalism at the London School of Journalism and became a registered nurse. He then received his PgDip in gerontology from Oxford Brooks University in 1997. Lastly, he received his MSc in leadership in healthcare from King's College London in 2006.[2] While in the United Kingdom, he worked in various leadership and managerial positions for both the National Health Service and the private sector.

He has served as chair of the Kono District Descendants Association, Sierra Leone People’s Party UK branch and the Old Bo Boys’ Association.[2] He also chaired the Julius Maada Bio Support Group UK, which led to his entry into national politics.[3]

Political career

Lamina was approved as Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by Parliament in August 2018.[4] In February 2019, Lamina hosted a Sierra Leonean diplomatic mission to the United Kingdom. He met with Queen Elizabeth II to discuss development, and then delivered a speech announcing the break of "a new dawn" in Sierra Leonean history.[5]

In May 2019, President Julius Maada Bio reshuffled his cabinet, and Lamina's was promoted from High Commissioner to Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.[6] He was approved by members of Parliament at his new position on June 27, 2019.[7]

References

  1. ^ Briama, Abdulai (November 16, 2018). "KDDAUK Members Courtesy Call to SL High Commission in London". Kono District Development Association. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Yamba, Saa David Musa. "MEET OUR NEWLY APPOINTED SIERRA LEONE HIGH COMMISSIONER TO THE UK!". theorganiser.net. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  3. ^ "Maada Bio To Hold Town Hall Meeting In UK". sierraexpressmedia.com. June 17, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  4. ^ "Parliament Approves Forty-One Presidential Nominees for Ambassadorial and Other Appointments". demirrornewspaper.com. August 8, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  5. ^ "Sierra Leone High Commissioner to UK presents credentials to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" (Press release). gov.uk. February 20, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  6. ^ Kanu, Kabs (May 10, 2019). "President Maada Bio reshuffles his cabinet, recycling ministers and changing two ambassadors". Coco Rioko. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  7. ^ "Lamina becomes Minister of Local Government amidst controversy". awokonewspaper.com. June 28, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.