Following the demise of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari, expressing his condolence over the death of the 82-year-old politician.
READ ALSO: Presidency Mourns As Chief Of Staff, Kyari, Dies
The death of the Chief of Staff was announced by the Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Friday, following COVID-19 complications.
Obasanjo, in a letter, wrote:
I received the news of the demise of Alhaji Abba Kyari, your Chief of Staff, over Friday night, with great sadness, as he lost the battle against the dreadful killer disease, COVID-19.
Abba Kyari’s death must be painful to you and to his family and friends, but you can all take solace in the fact that he died in harness, in the service of his country.
His death must be a solemn reminder to all of us that COVID-19 requires all hands on deck soberly, cooperatively, humanly, humanely, justly, equitably, fairly, consolidatedly and comprehensively to be able to fight it successfully and to get all Nigerians back to good health and healthy economy.
God will give you and Abba Kyari’s family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May Allah receive his soul.
The late Kyari has since been buried according to Islamic rites in Abuja by NCDC personnel amidst the presence of family and friends.
A tweet from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed this.
Shehu stated:
We just received the body of Abba Kyari the deceased Chief of Staff the President in Abuja.
In strict observation of the protocol put in place for the burial of Coronavirus victims by the @NCDCgov and the Federal Ministry of Health, the funeral prayer and burial will be private.
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 nation the fortitude to bear the loss.