Professor Tam David-West, former minister of petroleum from 1984 to 1985 under the military administration of Muhammadu Buhari, is dead.
Aged 83, the renowned consultant virologist died on Monday morning in Ibadan.
The presidency broke the news of the passing on of the professor via a statement issued by Mr. Femi Adesina, spokesman for Buhari.
“He had an indomitable spirit, stood resolutely by whatever he believed in, and was in a class of his own,” the statement said.
He condoled with the family of the David-West and the people of Buguma, Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State over his death.
“President Buhari prays that God will rest the soul of the committed nationalist, urging all those who believe in the ideals he espoused to approximate same, for the betterment of Nigeria, and humanity in general,” it added.
Similarly, the senate president, Mr. Ahmad Lawan said David-West contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria as a teacher and political office holder.
“Professor Tam David-West was a vocal social critic who lived what he preached and never compromised his principles all through his lifetime. Lawan said Prof David-West will be missed for his deep and frank analysis of social challenges.
“Aside from pointing directions from the ivory tower, when the calls came for him to serve at the highest level of government, he discharged his duties diligently and conscientiously,” Lawan said in a statement.
Lawan condoled with the family of the deceased, the government and people of Rivers State and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the great loss.
It would be recalled that David-West also served the military government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida as minister of mines, power, and steel.
He was eventually removed as a minister and arrested by the Babangida regime for allegedly contributing to the economic adversity of the country.
He was discharged and acquitted of these charges by Nigeria’s Special Appeal Court on August 8, 1991.
David-West studied at the University of Ibadan; Michigan State University, and Yale University, both in the United States of America.
He also studied at McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
