President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on late Abba Kyari

TO MY FRIEND, MALLAM ABBA KYARI

Mallam Abba Kyari, who died on 17th April, 2020, at the age of 67 from issues induced by way of the Coronavirus, was once a genuine Nigerian patriot. My loyal pal and compatriot for the last 42 years – and latterly my Chief-of-Staff – he in no way wavered in his dedication to the betterment of each one of us.

He used to be solely in his twenties when we first met. A diligent student, quickly after he was blessed with the possibility to study overseas – first at Warwick and then law at the University of Cambridge. But there was once by no means any query Abba would convey his remarkable competencies and newly received world-class understanding back to Nigeria – which he did – without delay upon graduation.

Whilst possessing the sharpest legal and organisational mind, Abba’s genuine center of attention was once continually the improvement of infrastructure and the assurance of protection for the humans of this state he served so faithfully. For he knew that without each in tandem there can in no way be the improvement of the respectful society and brilliant economic system that all Nigerian citizens deserve.

In political life, Abba in no way sought optional office for himself. Rather, he set himself in opposition to the view and behavior of two generations of Nigeria’s political institution – who noticed corruption as an entitlement and its exercise a byproduct of possessing political office.

Becoming my Chief of Staff in 2015, he strove quietly and barring any activity in publicity or non-public reap to enforce my agenda.

There are those who stated of him that he have to be secretive – due to the fact he did no longer have a excessive public profile. But Abba used to be the opposite: he genuinely had no need, nor did he seek, the lower priced gratification of the crowd; for him, there was once nothing to be located in famous adulation. He secured alternatively delight and his reward totally and solely from the improvement of the governance of this gorgeous country.

Working, without fail, seven days every and each and every week, he acted forcefully as a critical gatekeeper to the presidency, making sure no one – whether or not minister or governor had get entry to past every other – and that all these representing and serving our country have been dealt with equally.

He made clear in his individual and his practice, always, that each and every Nigerian – regardless of faith, family, fortune or frailty – used to be heard and handled respectfully and the same.

Mallam Abba Kyari used to be the very nice of us. He used to be made of the stuff that makes Nigeria great. Rest In Peace, my dearest friend.

To his loving spouse and doting household who live to tell the tale him, I prolong my heartfelt sorrow at your loss.