The Chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari has died after contracting the novel Coronavirus. The presidency made this disclosure on Saturday through the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
Kyari holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Warwick, in 1980 and also received a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cambridge and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983. A year later, he obtained a master's degree in law from the University of Cambridge and later attended the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.
He was the Secretary to the board of African International Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Bank of Credit Commerce International. He also held strategic positions as Executive Director at the United Bank for Africa, and later the Chief Executive Officer. In 2002, he was appointed a board director of Unilever Nigeria and later served on the board of Exxon Mobil Nigeria.
He is survived by a wife, four children, numerous relatives, and a Nigerian nation many agree he served diligently.
Laid to rest in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the remains of Abba Kyari has been laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja. Muslim prayers were earlier said for the late Chief of Staff at the Defence House, Maitama, Abuja which was his official abode while in office.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu informed that the burial will be private in strict observation of protocol in the burial of COVID-19 victims in line with the NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health guidelines.
"Thereafter, there will be no such ceremonies as condolence visits. Well meaning friends, family members and the general public are encouraged to pray for the repose of Abba Kyari's soul. May Allah grant the family and the nation the fortitude to bear the loss", Shehu said.
