BEVERLY HILLS, April 18, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday received several messages of condolences from foreign and national leaders over the death of Abba Kyari, his late Chief of Staff.
Kyari died from the deadly coronavirus in Lagos on Friday.
The President received telephone calls from President Nana Akuffo-Ado of Ghana and President Muhammadou Youssoufou of Niger Republic.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, in a statement said: “Dolapo and I express our sympathies to the President, Mrs. Kulu Kyari, the children, and members of the family on the passing of the late Mallam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President. May the Lord comfort and be with you all in Jesus name. Amen.”
He also received calls of condolences from ex-President Yayi Boni of Benin Republic and two former Nigerian Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan also condoled with the President and the Kyari family over the death of the Chief of Staff, who was buried earlier on Saturday in Abuja.
President Buhari also received similar messages of condolence from the embassies of friendly countries including Egypt, Chad and Liberia.
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Messages were also received from Governors Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Abubakar Bagudu, Kebbi, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State; former Governors of Katsina, Sa’idu Barda, Zamfara Abdulaziz Yari and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara as well as the former Senate President, Ken Nnamanni, the Sultan of Sokoto Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar III and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.
The Emirs of Kazaure, Najib Hussaini Adamu, Gwandu, General Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar (rtd), and that of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Al-Bashir Bukar; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu were among the early callers.
Calls to the President were also received from Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, former Ministers, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and Gen. Ike Umaru Sanda Nwachukwu; Senators Monsurat Sunmonu and Kabiru Marafa as well as Pastor Tunde Bakare.
President Buhari also received condolence messages from Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on behalf of the Progressive Governors Forum,Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on behalf of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on behalf of the Nigeria Governors Forum as well as Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kawra State and Senator Umar Ibrahim Kurfi.
A former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, said: “Abba Kyari was a true and immeasurably committed patriot who gave all he had in the service of our country, Nigeria.”
The President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said: “For you personally, Mr President, this is a deeply personal loss… of your close confidant…associate…and friend.” Dr. Adesina told President Buhari that, “As the Coronavirus pandemic ravages the world and Africa, may God grant you greater strength and wisdom in our collective battle against this virus.”
On his part, the former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, described Mallam Kyari as “a hardworking, loyal and dependable Chief of Staff who discharged his duties with uncommon commitment and diligence.”
From Labour Unions, the former General Secretary of Textile Union and Vice-President, Industrial Global Union, Comrade Issa Aremu, noted “the remarkable statesmanship” of Mallam Kyari in promoting diversification and industrialization in the country, stressing that he was also a key player in the oil and gas industry.
Writing on behalf of the Governing Council and entire membership of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), the President and Chairman of Council, Tony Agenmonmen, said that Mallam Kyari, “served Nigeria with passion, diligence and dedication.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also said: “I have received the death of your Chief of Staff with profound grief and sorrow, and I convey to you my deepest and heartfelt sympathies at this sombre moment.”
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