The Deputy President of the Senate , Ovie Omo-Agege has described the late Professor Tam David West as a great Patriot and intellectual of formidable standing at home and abroad.
Professor David West who died at the age of 83 on Monday, was a consultant Virologist at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state for many years.
He served as Minister of Petroleum and Energy under Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime from 1984 to 1985 and also served as Minister of Mines, Power and Steel under former Military President Ibrahim Babangida from 1985 to 1987.
Reacting to David – West’s death in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Yomi Odunuga , Omo- Agege declared the deceased was one of those who truly left an indelible footprint on the sands of time, saying ‘ his demise was a great loss to the Nation “.
He said, “My heart goes out to his family, the people of Buguma and the Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State; a truly great son of the Niger Delta and a great Nigerian patriot has passed on at the age of 83.
“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.
“Professor 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”.
