Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari dies of coronavirus
The Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President, Mr Abba Kyari has died of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The announcement was made by the presidency in the early hours of Saturday April 18, 2020.
According to the statement announcing, Mr Abba Kyari died on Friday April 17, 2020.
The official statement reads: “The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.
“The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.
“May God accept his soul.
“Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.”
The deceased had on March 23 tested positive to the novel coronavirus.
On March 29, Mr Kyari issued a statement on his decision to move to Lagos for “further test and observation.”
While Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire warned against private hospitals treating COVID-19 cases, Mr Abba Kyari said “I have made my own care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system, which faces so many pressures.”
“This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week I tested positive for Coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all protocols the government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.”
Mr Abba Kyari was firt appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as his Chief of Staff in 2015. The appointment was renewed in 2019 and he held that position until his demise.
Mr Kyari held Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology.
He has worked with a number of reputable organizations in his professional career including New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, the United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil. He worked in different capacities.
