Abiodun, Others Mourn As Abba Kyari Is Buried

Asiwaju Tinubu: Abba Kyari’s Death Should Not Be in Vain

The remains of President Muhammadu Buhari's Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, was interred today, Saturday, at Gudu Cemetery after it was first received in Abuja, in strict observation of the protocol put in place for the burial of Coronavirus victims by the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.

However, the funeral prayer and burial were private, according to Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity).

"The remains of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, arrived in Abuja Saturday morning from Lagos, and have been buried at Gudu cemetery after funeral prayers at his residence.

"As advised by the protocols put in place by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health on social distancing, the burial marks the end of all ceremonies and there will be no condolence visits to family and the Presidency.

"Well-wishers and all other Nigerians are instead advised to pray for the repose of the soul of the late Chief of Staff.

"A condolence register will be opened at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) from Sunday for those who are able to use the window permitted for movement by the FCT administration," Garba stated.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress(APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described the late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, as a man of accomplishment whose death due to the raging coronavirus pandemic should not be in vain.

He said although the nation is made sad and mourning, we must also use his demise and those of others fallen by the virus to strengthen our resolve in fighting the pandemic.

His condolence message is contained in a statement signed by him and released by his Media Office on Saturday in Lagos.

Asiwaju Tinubu said: “I'm deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Malam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President. He was an extremely able, loyal and talented man who dedicated his considerable skills to the success of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

“Whatever someone will try to say about Mallam Kyari, the words will prove insufficient. His influence in government and throughout the land was substantial and profound. He will surely be missed.  My deepest condolences go to President Buhari, the people of NIgeria and especially the family of Mallam kyari over this tragic loss. May Almighty Allah comfort the president and the Kyari family at this difficult moment.

“This death came at a time the government is working assiduously to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. We must not allow the passing away of Mallam Kyari and the other Nigerians who have lost their lives to this terrible disease to be in vain.  Although we are today made sad, we must also use this moment to strengthen our resolve in fighting the pandemic.

“Let us rededicate ourselves to obeying the public health measures such as physical distancing so that we may defeat the contagion and not fall to it. While we must maintain spatial distance from one another we must yet come closer in the spirit of brotherly compassion and national purpose in order to defeat the threat we now face.

“Mallam Kyari was a man of accomplishment. We know not why Almighty Allah has taken him at this time. Allah's will is supreme and there is no questioning it. Yet we must learn from Mallam Kyari's passing. We must honor the departed by doing all we can to defeat the virus so that we safeguard the health of the nation that Mallam Kyari loved so deeply.

“To the family of Mallam Kyari, may Almighty Allah support and comfort them during this painful moment. My condolences are also with Governor Babagana Zulum, the government and people of Borno State over the loss of their extraordinary son.

“I pray that Allah Subuhana Watahalah grant the soul of our beloved Mallam Kyari eternal rest and admit him to Aljana Firdaus," Tinubu said.

Also,  Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has mourned Mallam Abba Kyari, expressing shock over his  death on Friday and  described it as a national tragedy.

 Abiodun said  Mallam Abba Kyari was a good leader and devout Muslim who sacrificed so much in the service of Nigeria.

“This is a national tragedy. Mallam Kyari died in the service of fatherland. The Chief of Staff was said to have contracted the virus while on an official assisgnment in Germany. He was confirmed positive to COVID-19 on March 23 and died of complications arising from the virus. So sad," Governor Abiodun said in a statement he personally signed on Saturday morning.

 “We are extremely saddened by the news of Mallam Abba Kyari’s passing away. He was a detribalised Nigerian, consumate technocrat, gentleman and leading member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s team, for whom we had a lot respect," he said.

The Governor recalled that Abba Kyari carried out his duties with a lot of charisma and high intellectual disposition, which earned the office of Chief of Staff a lot of dignity and respect.

He added that "the dreaded virus, COVID-I9 claimed its biggest victim, our respected friend and an influential figure within the Buhari administration, Mallam Abba Kyari," a Cambridge University-trained technocrat.

" I remember the late Abba Kyari as a great democrat, a thoroughbred administrator, a good party man, a diligent networker and servant leader, whose service orientation could have helped Nigeria to tame the dreaded COVID-19. 

"He would have helped in finding solutions to this pandemic. Indeed, Kyari’s passing is a major blow not only to the Buhari presidency but to all of us serving Nigeria at this critical period in our history. It leaves a gaping hole in the administration," Abiodun said.

The governor who  condoled with the President, family, friends and associates of the deceased over the painful loss, also prayed for the repose of the soul of Kyari  saying: “May the Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive him his sins and be merciful to him. May He (SWT) compensate him with peace in al-Jannah Firdaus.”