By Akeem Abas, Ibukun Emiola
President Buhari, Senate President Lawan, House of Reps Speaker mourn Tam David-West
President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila have joined other Nigerians mourning the demise of Professor Tam David-West, former Commissioner of Education in the old Rivers State, former Minister of Petroleum and Energy under the Muhammadu Buhari military regime, and Minister of Mines, Power and Steel under the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) said President Buhari expressed “deep sorrow at the passage of his ally and friend, a man he usually calls ‘the indomitable Tam David-West.’”
Adesina’s statement further quoted President Buhari as saying that Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West, 83, a consultant virologist of national and international standing “had an indomitable spirit, stood resolutely by whatever he believed in, and was in a class of his own.”
He said that President Buhari commiserates with the family of the academic, author of many books, and social critic, as well as with the people of Buguma, Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, the academia, and all those who loved “the forthright Tam David-West.”
“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.”
Senator Lawan, in a statement by Ola Awoniyi, his Special Adviser (Media) said that 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.
Lawan condoled with his family, the government and people of Rivers State and prayed that God will give them the fortitude to bear the great loss.
House of Reps Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, on his part, described as unfortunate and painful the passing away of Prof. David West.
Gbajabiamila said David West, who served Nigeria diligently, would be missed and 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.
Prof. Idowu Olayinka, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, also mourned the death of the enigmatic Prof Tam David-West, who passed on in the early hours of Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 at the University College Hospital after a brief illness.
This was contained in a statement by Mr Olatunji Oladejo, the University’s Director of Public Communication, in Ibadan on Monday.
According to the statement, late David-West, aged 83, was a retired Professor of Virology at the University and contributed immensely to the development of education in Nigeria.
The VC said, “the death of Late Prof. David -West is a big loss to the academic family all over the world.”
He noted that the vacuum left by the deceased would be difficult to fill.
Olayinka said “Late Prof David West was a mentor of many generations of virologists all over the world.
“Even in retirement, he was still very useful to the academic family.”
The VC recalled Prof. David-West’s contributions to national development through his services to the good people of Nigeria, especially his stint as the Minister of Petroleum, among other preferments.
He however, prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and commiserated with the family of Late Prof. David-West on the irreplaceable loss of the wonderful Nigerian.
Also, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) described the late Prof. David-West as the custodian and repository of university culture.
The Chairman of ASUU, University of Ibadan, Prof. Deji Omole said this in Ibadan on Monday while reacting to the death of Prof. David-West.
The Union described the late don as a great struggler who believed in one Nigeria and supported the union.
Omole noted that the late don knew and articulated a clear vision of what a University ought to be.
“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, who was always ready to assist whenever he was consulted.
“He was actually a custodian of the university tradition and culture. Repository and custodian of the university culture.
“The union will definitely miss him as he was among the last of the complete scholars,” Omole said.
A family source told newsmen on Monday in Ibadan that David-West , 83, died at the private suite of the University College Hospital (UCH) around 11.05am.
According to the source, the octogenarian was rushed to the hospital when he took ill and spent 11 days in the hospital before his demise.
He said that the children of the deceased had already been contacted and were on their way to Ibadan as at press time.
Also, Mr Toye Akinrinola, the UCH Public Relations Officer, confirmed the death of David-West at UCH.
He added that the former minister breathed his last at 11:05 a.m, but declined to make comments on the cause of the death.
