Five things you need to know about Tam David-West

Former minister of petroleum and consultant virologist, Prof Tam David-West, is dead.

The Public Relations Officer of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola, told PUNCH that the former minister died on Monday morning at 11:05 p.m.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “deep sorrow” over the death of  David-West.

He described  “the indomitable Tam David-West’ as “friend and ally.”

 

Here are a few things to know about Tam David-West:

1. David-West was an ex-commissioner for Education in the old Rivers State (1975–1979).

2. He served as a Minister of Petroleum and Energy under the Muhammadu Buhari military regime between 1984 and 1985.

3. He was Minister of Mines, Power and Steel under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime.

4. According to Wikipedia, 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.

5. David-West was an academic and author of many books.

6. He was an outspoken and controversial critic of Nigerian government policy since his purge and arrest under the military regime of General Babangida, though he was not affiliated to any political party.

 

…….His final moments at UCH

For 11days, former Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Prof Tam David-West, was admitted to a private suite of the University College Hospital Ibadan.

The Public Relations Officer of the UCH, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola, told PUNCH that the former minister, however, died on Monday morning at 11:05.

Asked further details, Akinrinlola simply said, “He was brought here over a week ago and admitted to a private suite.

”He died at 11:05am,” Akinrinlola added.

A family member who escorted the deceased to the hospital but preferred anonymity said, “We took Baba to UCH precisely 11days ago.

“The deceased had spent 11 days at the UCH before he breathed his last. He was rushed to the UCH when he fell sick.

“His children are already on their way to Ibadan,” he said.