Prof. Tamunoemi Sokari David-West, erstwhile Minister of Petroleum Resources, has passed on at the age of 83.
The deceased had served in the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari administration between 1984 and 85 and later reappointed the Minister of Mines, Power and Steel in the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, which overthrew Buhari’s military government.
The Consultant Virologist was emeritus professor at the University of Ibadan where he spent half of his life-time and was Commissioner for Education in Rivers State.
David-West was a renown academic and author of many books.
He had campaigned for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2014 election that brought him to office in 2015.
Competent family sources confirmed that the late professor passed on in the early hours of Saturday.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has expressed deep condolences on the death of his former Oil minister.
“The indomitable Tam David-West is a friend and ally.
“Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West, 83, was a consultant virologist of national and international standing. He served as Commissioner of Education in the old Rivers State, Minister of Petroleum and Energy under the Muhammadu Buhari military regime, and Minister of Mines, Power and Steel under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime.”
“He had an indomitable spirit, stood resolutely by whatever he believed in and was in a class of his own,’’ a State House statement signed by President’s media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, said.
Buhari, however, commiserated with the family, the people of Buguma, Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, the academia and all those who loved ‘the forthright Tam David-West.’
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