- APC, Atiku, Okowa, others mourn
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who died on Friday, will be buried in Abuja on Saturday, according to information emanating from the Presidency.
A native of Borno State, Kyari was pronounced dead on Friday from COVID-19 complications. He first tested positive for the virus on March 23, and subsequently moved to a private medical facility in Lagos for treatment.
Following his demise Friday night, the presidency has commenced burial plans in earnest, in line with Islamic rites.
Kyari’s body will arrive in Abuja from Lagos, on Saturday morning, where it will be received by friends and cabinet colleagues at the airport, from where it will later be taken to a cemetery for burial, a presidency source said.
It was further learned that the burial will not be an open celebration, in compliance with the existing social distancing directive aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly virus.
Kyari has been in public consciousness since he was announced to have fallen victim of the virus on March 23.
He was initially receiving treatment in Abuja before he was transferred to a private hospital in Lagos on March 29.
In a March 29 statement, Kyari said his health was improving, and urged Nigerians to remain calm about his situation and keep a hygienic lifestyle to avoid contracting the virus.
But on Friday night, the presidency confirmed that he had passed on, from complications inflicted by the virus.
Kyari is the most senior Nigerian government official and politician to die from the virus, which was first reported in the country on February 27.
Nearly 500 persons in Nigeria have now contracted the virus as of Friday night, out of which 17 casualties have been confirmed.
In its reaction to Kyari’s death, the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the president has indeed lost a competent, trusted, loyal, strong right hand man and longtime adviser who promoted, protected and defended his interest in good times and in adversity.
According to APC, even in death, the fond memories and indelible strides Mallam Abba Kyari left on earth will be celebrated for a long time.
“We remember a cerebral Nigerian who excelled in his private dealings, professional endevours and public service.”
The party condoled with Kyari’s immediate family, the President, leaders and members of the APC and the people and government of Borno State over the loss.
The party said as Mallam Abba Kyari is buried according to Islamic rites, may Almighty Allah be merciful and grant him Aljanat Firdaus.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar asked Allah to comfort Kyari’s family, as well as forgive his sins and to grant him “AlJannah Firdaus”.
Atiku wrote on his Twitter handle- @atiku: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I am saddened by the death of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. May Allah SWT comfort his family, forgive his sins and grant him AlJannah Firdaus. Ameen.”
The Delta State
governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa expressed sadness over the passing away of Mallam
Abba Kyari.
Okowa said he is pained by the fact that the
elder statesman died of the dreaded COVID-19. The governor’s condolence was
conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr .Olisa Ifeajika, on
Saturday in Asaba.
He said Kyari’s death is a huge loss to the
Presidency and the entire nation, considering his strategic role in the current
administration.
He commiserated with the family, President
Buhari and the entire Presidency over the loss, and urged them to be consoled
by the legacies of integrity and capacity exhibited by the elder statesman.
Okowa assured the President and the entire Kyari family of the support and prayers of his family, Delta State Government and the people of the State at this trying period.
“It is with great sadness that I, my family, the government and people of Delta commiserate with Mr President, the Kyari family and the entire Presidency on the passing away of octogenarian elder statesman, Mallam Abba Kyari. “His death remains a great loss, not just to his family, but President Buhari’s administration, given his coordinating responsibilities to the President.
“Indeed, the late
Abba Kyari was very supportive of the President and I can only imagine the
grief and sorrow that has befallen our dear President on this loss. “Mallam
Kyari will be sorely missed by the Presidency and all those whose lives he had
touched in several positive ways,” the statement read.