… extremely able, loyal and talented man – Tinubu
… truly good man, profoundly faithful and loyal to our country – NNPC GMD Kyari
… a deeply committed and patriotic citizen – Sanwo-Olu
… I have lost a friend of 40 years — Fani-Kayode
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress National Leader, has expressed grief over the death of Mallam Abba Kyari, the erstwhile Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, extolling him an “extremely able, loyal and talented man.’’
Tinubu said Kyari, who succumbed to the deadly COVID-19 on Friday, dedicated his considerable skills to the success of the administration he served till death.
Persecondnews recalls that Kyari had died while receiving treatment for coronavirus at a private hospital in Lagos.
“His influence in government and throughout the land was substantial and profound. He will surely be missed.
“I’m deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Malam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President. He was an extremely able, loyal and talented man who dedicated his considerable skills to the success of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Whatever someone will try to say about Mallam Kyari, the words will prove insufficient. My deepest condolences go to President Buhari, the people of NIgeria and especially the family of Mallam kyari over this tragic loss. May Almighty Allah comfort the president and the Kyari family at this difficult moment.
“This death came at a time the government is working assiduously to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. We must not allow the passing away of Mallam Kyari and the other Nigerians who have lost their lives to this terrible disease to be in vain.
Although we are today made sad, we must also use this moment to strengthen our resolve in fighting the pandemic,’’ Tinubu said in a condolatory message to Buhari.
The message which was personally signed by him was contained in a statement by Mr Tunde Rahman, the APC leader’s media aide.
Describing Kyari as a man of accomplishment, Tinubu said his death due to the ravaging coronavirus pandemic should not be in vain.
He said although the nation is made sad and mourning, we must also use his demise and those of others fallen by the virus to strengthen our resolve in fighting the pandemic.
“Let us rededicate ourselves to obeying the public health measures such as physical distancing so that we may defeat the contagion and not fall to it. While we must maintain spatial distance from one another we must yet come closer in the spirit of brotherly compassion and national purpose in order to defeat the threat we now face.
“Mallam Kyari was a man of accomplishment. We know not why Almighty Allah has taken him at this time. Allah’s will is supreme and there is no questioning it. Yet we must learn from Mallam Kyari’s passing. We must honor the departed by doing all we can to defeat the virus so that we safeguard the health of the nation that Mallam Kyari loved so deeply. .
“To the family of Mallam Kyari, may Almighty Allah support and comfort them during this painful moment. My condolences are also with Governor Babagana Zulum, the government and people of Borno State over the loss of their extraordinary son.
“I pray that Allah Subuhana Watahalah grant the soul of our beloved Mallam Kyari eternal rest and admit him to Aljana Firdaus,’’ Tinubu said.
Some prominent Nigerians have also reacted to the demise of Abba Kyari, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari.
Jonathan, in his condolence message, prayed for Kyari’s friends and family “during this moment of grief.”
Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmed Lawan in his message, asked God to “forgive the shortcomings” of the late Kyari.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama said: “Kyari was my best friend’’.
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, said the deceased was a good man.
“May Allah forgive Mallam Abba Kyari and have mercy upon him. Was a truly good man, profoundly faithful and loyal to our country.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who expressed sadness, said: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I am saddened by the death of Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. May Allah comfort his family, forgive his sins and grant him AlJannah Firdaus. Ameen.”
Former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani said: “Abba Kyari; The President has lost a trusted and loyal friend. A man who took the bullets of his master with smiles, calmness and silence. We knew his cap and his colours but never his mind or his own side of his story. He will be missed as a Punchman. RIP AK.”
Femi Fani-Kayode said: “I have lost a friend of 40 years. We were at Cambridge together. We worked in my father’s law firm together. We remained close throughout right up until the end even though we disagreed politically. Abba was a good man: a man of honour and a loyal friend. May his soul rest in peace.”
The Ooni of Ife described Kyari’s death as shocking and an unfortunate surprise.
“Kyari was a coolheaded gentleman and great respecter of the traditional institution.’’
To Lagos State Gov. Sanwo-Olu ,it is shocking, painful and a monumental loss to the nation, the people and government of Borno State and the Kyari family.
‘‘I received the sad news of the death of Mallam Abba Kyari, an astute public servant with a heavy heart. Mallam Kyari was a dedicated Nigerian, a deeply committed and patriotic citizen, who contributed remarkably to the smooth and successful running of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.’’
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