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Tam David-West: Facts About Ex-Petroleum Minister Who Believed Buhari Would Reduce Petrol Price to N40 (1936 – 2019)
Former Minister of Petroleum and Consultant Virologist, Prof Tam David-West, has died at the age of 83.
The Public Relations Officer of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola, confirmed that the former minister died on Monday morning at 11:05 a.m.
President Muhammadu Buhari while expressing “deep sorrow” over the death of David-West, 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.
7. He became a strong supporter of Buhari during the runoff to the 2015 elections, saying Buhari will reduce petrol price from the then N87 to N40. But the price was increased to N145 shortly after Buhari took office
The first hostages freed from Gaza under a long-awaited ceasefire agreement are back in Israel. The news sparked jubilant scenes in Tel Aviv where large crowds gathered ahead of their release.
The three freed Israeli hostages – the first of 33 to be released over the next six weeks – are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. They are said to be in good health and are receiving treatment at a medical center in Tel Aviv.
In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released by Israel from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military withdrew from several locations in southern and northern Gaza after the truce began earlier on Sunday, an Israeli military official told CNN.
Displaced Gazans have started returning to their homes, while the aid trucks laden with much-needed supplies have crossed into Gaza. Here’s what we know about how the ceasefire deal will work.
Hamas, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself, and a failure for Israel.
One of Hamas’ main goals for taking some 250 people during its brazen October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. As Israel pounded Gaza in response, Hamas vowed not to return the hostages until Israel withdrew its forces from the enclave, permanently ended the war, and allowed for rebuilding.
Source: CNN
The leader of UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has said she doesn’t want Britain to be like Nigeria that is plagued by “terrible governments.”
Speaking on Thursday at an event organised by Onward, a British think tank producing research on economic and social issues, Badenoch expressed fears that Britain may become like Nigeria if the system is not reformed.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch told the audience.
“I don’t want Britain to lose what it has.
“I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation.
“I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.
“So I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch has been in the news of late after she dissociated herself from Nigeria, saying she has nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.
She also accused the Nigeria Police of robbing citizens instead of protecting them.
She said: “My experience with the Nigeria Police was very negative. Coming to the UK, my experience with the British Police was very positive.
“The police in Nigeria will rob us (laughter). When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well…I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
