By: Admin
President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, expressed deep sorrow over the death of his ally and friend Prof Tamunoemi David-West.
The former minister of Petroleum and Energy reportedly died on Monday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, at the age of 83.
A family source said the octogenarian died on Monday after being hospitalised for about 11 days.
David-West was a reputable consultant virologist and the first Rivers man to rise to the rank of s professor in the field.
President Buhari described the deceased as “the indomitable Tam.”
In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “He had an indomitable spirit, stood resolutely by whatever he believed in, and was in a class of his own.”
The President also commiserated with the David-West family, the people of Buguma, Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, the academia, and all those who loved “the forthright Tam David-West.”
He prayed 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.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the late David-West would best be remembered as a Nigerian who served his country diligently and championed the cause of the underprivileged.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, recalled his contributions, especially during the national debate on ending petroleum products’ subsidy.
The APC noted that the death of Prof. David-West had depleted the rank of the progressives in the country, especially one who was never afraid to speak the truth to those in authority.
The party said: “Indeed, Nigeria has lost a progressive voice and social critic who spoke truth to power. An erudite scholar, the late Tam David-West always held our leaders to account on issues of good governance.
“We recall his strong advocacy for oil sector reforms, particularly the passage of a mutually-beneficial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), fixing moribund refineries and ending the fuel subsidy racket that was a drainpipe on the country’s resources before the advent of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“While the death of the late patriot is painful and a sad loss, we take solace with the fact that he lived an accomplished and impactful life. In death, we remember and celebrate a man who served the country diligently and championed the cause of the poor and underprivileged.”
Similarly, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, described the late David-West as a great patriot who will forever be remembered for his intellectual and formidable standing at home and abroad.
He noted that he was one of those who truly left an indelible footprint on the sands of time.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga in Abuja, Omo-Agege described Prof David-West’s death as a great loss to the nation.
He said: “While we mourn, we must appreciate the noble essence of his time on earth as an idealist who consistently nursed an optimistic outlook about Nigeria’s capacity for genuine transformation.
“Prof Tam David-West distinguished himself in the academia with numerous publications and in public service; he boldly rose to express well thought out criticisms in moments when undiluted truth was required in national affairs.
“With the passing of this great patriot, we have lost a true gem and we can only pray for his soul’s eternal repose and fortitude for the family he left behind.”
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said David-West would be remembered for his patriotism.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker prayed for the repose of the soul of the former petroleum minister.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the family of the former minister. I pray that God Almighty gives members of his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” Gbajabiamila said.
Joinjing to mourn the late professor, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan, described the late David-West as the custodian and repository of university culture.
The union described the late don as a great struggler who believed in one Nigeria.
Its Chairman Prof. Deji Omole said the deceased was a supporter of the union.
He said: “Tam David-West was a phenomenal success academically. He was a great struggler who believed in one Nigeria. He had a clear vision of what the university should be.
“He was a great fellow of our union, especially at the branch. He was always ready to assist whenever he was consulted. He was a custodian of the university tradition and culture, a repository and custodian of the university culture.
“The union will miss him. He was among the last of the complete scholars.”
A former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Ledum Mitee said Nigerians will miss David-West’s uprightness.
He said: “Prof. Tam David-West was an honest man of integrity and honour. He left lasting legacies. We will surely miss his prudent lifestyle. Even as a former Petroleum minister, he returned to his official quarters at the University of Ibadan (UI).
“Before the shocking death of Prof. David-West, as major stakeholders in the Nigerian project, we closely interacted on many occasions and I can confirm to you that he was an upright man, who always emphasised truth and hard work. Rivers people and other Niger Deltans are so proud of the icon.”
On his part, a former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Prince Chibudom Nwuche described David-West as an illustrious son of Rivers State, a brilliant academic, a statesman and a man of immense wisdom and integrity.
He said the late David West and his father shared several things in common, including the vision for a more developed Rivers, an agitation that eventually led to the creation of Bayelsa State from the old Rivers.
