Covid 19 Cases: Abba Kyari Nigerian Chief Of Staff To The President Dies
Abba Kyari was the Chief of staff to the Nigerian presidency who died on Friday, April 17 in a Lagos hospital, after a struggle with the deadly coronavirus. He was eighty-one years of age and had underlying health issues, including diabetes. He will be buried later today in Abuja, according to the Islamic burial rites.
Various Nigerian politicians and high profile persons expressed their condolence on social media.
Former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan tweeted, “I condole with H.E @MBuhari, the Kyari family & all sympathizers on the demise of Mallam Abba Kyari who until his death was the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria.
May Allah grant him Al Jannah Firdaus & strengthen his family & friends during this moment of grief.
GEJ”
Bashir Ahmed tweeted “ABBA Kyari was one of the most misunderstood persons in the history of Nigeria. Those who had the opportunity to know him personally will tell you how extremely a good person he was. A man of honor will be remembered as someone who sacrificed his life for this country.”
Spokesman Garba Shehu tweeted, “The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari,”
Atiku Abubakar tweeted “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 governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa tweeted “It is with great sadness that I, my family, the government and people of Delta State commiserate with President Buhari, the Kyari family and the entire Presidency on the passing away of former Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.”
Senator Shehu Sani tweeted “Abba Kyari; The President has lost a trusted & loyal friend. A man who took the bullets of his master with smiles, calmness & silence. We knew his cap & his colors but never his mind or his own side of his story. He will be missed as a Punchman or a punching bag”
Reno Omikri tweeted, “My sincere and heartfelt condolence go to the family of Mallam Abba Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to General @MBuhari, who has died at 81 from #CoronaVirus. He was one of the more effective and loyal members of Buhari’s kitchen cabinet. Whatever our differences, he loved Nigeria.”
Image Source: Twitter.com
Abba Kyari During His Lifetime
A Kanuri from Borno, not much is known about his early life. In 1980, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Warwick and also received a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Cambridge. In 1983, he was called to the Nigerian Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School
In 1984, he obtained a master’s degree in law from the University of Cambridge. He later attended the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland and participated in the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School, in 1992 and 1994, respectively.
Kyari was an influential figure within the Buhari administration. During the administration’s first term, he worked mainly behind the scenes to implement the president’s agenda. In 2019 with Buhari’s re-election for a second term, he ordered his cabinet to channel all requests through Kyari’s office. Further enhancing his influence within government circles, and being labeled as the de facto head of government.
In 2017, following a leaked memo, Kyari became embroiled in a public argument with the Head of Civil Service, who was later removed from office and arrested.
In 2020, in another leaked memo, Babagana Monguno the National Security Adviser accused Kyari of meddling in matters of national security.
Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Unsplash
The Average Nigerians Reaction To Abba Kyari’s Death
The average Nigerians reaction to the death of the Chief of Staff to the president is jubilation. The majority of Nigerians took to twitter today to celebrate the demise of the Nigerian politician. These acts might seem horrific but it stems from festering hate for politicians who are viewed as looters of public funds. Thousands of people have created dark and extremely sarcastic jokes about Abba Kyari’s demise.
Other Nigerians, particularly Muslims have advised against such behavior. Saying that everyone deserves empathy especially in death. However, Nigerians are not responding well to these calls for empathy comparing the Abba Kyari situation with that of the late Sani Abacha.
What's Your Reaction?
