EHIME ALEX, Lagos
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed shock over the death of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, who passed on Friday, April 17, 2020, saying it was a national tragedy.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, Abiodun described Late Abba Kyari as 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 his fatherland. The Chief of Staff was said to have contracted the virus while on an official assignment 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, consummate technocrat, gentleman and leading member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s team, for whom we had a lot respect”, The Governor noted.
Abiodun apologized Late Abba Kyari as one who carried out his duties with a lot of charisma and high intellectual disposition, which earned the office of the Chief of Staff, dignity and respect.
“Today the dreaded virus, COVID-I9 claimed its biggest victim, our respected friend and an influential figure within the Buhari administration, Mallam Abba Kyari.
“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 of late Kyari, the Cambridge University-trained technocrat.
The Governor, who condoled with the President, family, friends and associates of the deceased over the painful loss, prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and Allah to forgive his sins, be merciful and compensate him with peace in al-Jannah Firdaus.
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