Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum and energy Tamunoemi David-West has died at the age of 83.
David-West was Petroleum minister when Buhari was a military head of state between 1984 and 1985, at time oil prices slumped to about $10 a barrel. David-West and his boss came up with a policy of ‘counter-trade’, to sell Nigeria’s oil.
President Muhammadu Buhari expressed deep sorrow at the death of his friend and associate, a man he usually called “the indomitable Tam David-West.”
“He had an indomitable spirit stood resolutely by whatever he believed in and was in a class of his own,” said President Buhari of the academic, author of many books, and social critic.
He 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.”
Before he became a Federal minister in 1984, David-West served as Commissioner of Education in the old Rivers State. He also served as Minister of Mines, Power and Steel under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime.
