President Muhammadu Buhari has thanked those who condoled with him, the Kyari family and the nation, following the death of his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.
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The President made his feelings known in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday.
The president expressed appreciation for their letters of condolence, adherence to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus pandemic, including maintaining social distancing and staying at home, even as they mourned the deceased.
He said:
By heeding the calls to avoid large gatherings, you are playing a part in the effort to defeat the Coronavirus pandemic.
The president’s appreciation to those who maintained social distancing at the burial of the late Kyari, however, contradicts the words of the Secretary-General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who admitted unintentional violation of the principles and protocols of the coronavirus lockdown during the burial rites of late Chief of Staff.
Speaking at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing on Monday, Mustapha, said the committee regrets the ‘unintentional violation’ of protocols at the funeral.
Mustapha, who doubles as the chairman of the task force, also said lessons have been learnt from the situation.
He stated:
The PTF recognises, regrettably, the unintentional violation of the principles and protocols that form the core of our message to Nigerians, at the funeral of the late chief of staff.
These principles for emphasis, include: the guidance provided on mass gatherings, social distancing, Personal Hygiene and restriction of movements.
Lessons have been learnt and appropriate measures have been taken to close all gaps,” he said.
Although the Federal Government earlier announced that the funeral would be conducted in private to show compliance with the guidelines against the spread of COVID-19, a large crowd of sympathisers still thronged the burial ground to pay their last respects.
