By Ola Ajayi
IBADAN—FORMER Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Tam David-West, has turned down the honour of Commander of Order of Niger, CON, which the Federal Government offered him.

Although, he considered it a great honour for a citizen to be honoured by his country, David West viewed it as mere extravagance for the administration to earmark N10 billion to mark the country’s  50th anniversary.

Besides, he argued that the CON was not commensurate with the yeoman’s job he did for the country.

He said: “ CON is too low for me for all I have done for the country. I reject the CON outright. I’m not being immodest; it is a matter of principle and historical fact. Even if everything was alright and government decides to give me CFR, I will reject it because of the N10 billion earmarked for the 50th anniversary celebration.”

Specifically, he said it was not appropriate for someone who had served meritoriously as a Commissioner for Education, Minister of Petroleum, Power and Steel at different times.

His feat while in government as the Minister of Petroleum increased the extra quota which provided over $12 billion for the country.
“When I was a minister, a protocol list was circulated to all ministers and I am sure it is still the standard protocol list. On the list, when you have been a successful minister, the least you can be given is the Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, he explained.

David West added: “While I admit that it is a great thing for your country to honour you for the recognition of your services to the nation, I am, however, constrained to reject the award of CON outright.”

“I served first as Commissioner for Education in Rivers State from 1975-1979 and I had the luck to be commissioner when the country launched the UBE programme. When the Federal Government toured Rivers State, it was adjudged as among the best in implementing the UBE.

“When Gen. Babangida overthrew Buhari in 1985, I was brought back as Minister of Petroleum Resources again. After a cabinet reshuffle, I became Minister of Mines, Power and Steel. By the grace of God, although I was controlling over 90 percent of Nigeria’s money, I never stole a kobo. Even the Tribunal set up by the government to try public officers cleared me of any corrupt practices.