Abba Kyari was an influential member of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is being led by President Muhammadu Buhari. It is no more news that Kyari is dead. Kyari is a close friend of the President since 1976 and became the Chief of Staff of the Presiden in 2015. He tested positive for the dreaded disease after returning from official trips to Germany.
In announcing the incident, Buhari’s office in a statement said that it regrets to announce the passage of Abba Kyari, who acted as a gatekeeper to the president of Africa’s most populous nation.
Abba Kyari
Abba Kyari graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Warwick in 1980. He obtained a law degree from the University of Cambridge. Kyari was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983. In 1984, Kyari obtained a master’s degree in law from the University of Cambridge. Additionally, he studied at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne Switzerland and participated in the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School in 1992 and 1994 respectively.
Kyari was born on 23 September 1952, to a Kanuri family from Borno. He went to St. Paul’s College in Wusasa. Following advice from Mamman Daura and Ibrahim Tahir he considered joining the Nigerian Army. He met General Muhammadu Buhari in 1976. As at that time, Buhari was then Governor of Borno State.
Kyari worked for the law firm of Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo after returning to Nigeria. from 1988 to 1990, he was Editor with the New Africa Holdings Limited Kaduna. He served as a Commissioner for Forestry and Animal Resources in Borno State in the 1990s. Other experiences are as the secretary to the board of African International Bank Limited and an executive director in charge of management services at the United Bank for Africa. Later, he was to become the chief executive officer of UBA. Kyari served as a board director of Unilever Nigeria and on the board of Exxon Mobil Nigeria.
Mallam Abba Kyari was appointed Chief of Staff to the President Muhammadu Buhari In August 2015. Kyari was to become the most influential member of the President’s cabinet.
Influential
Kyari was so influential that he was reported to have strongly controlled access to the president. He oversaw key meetings and granted audiences to the President.
Reactions
Nigerians have reacted with mixed feelings. Just after the announcement of the demise, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media reacted. Bashir Ahmad said on his twitter handle that many Nigerians misunderstood the person of Mallam Kyari.
The Senate President prayed for God’s forgiveness for Mr. Kyari. In his word;
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un! Death is inevitable, it only comes at our individually appointed time. May Allah forgive the shortcomings of late Mallam Abba Kyari and grant him speedy passage to Aljannatu Firdausi.
Ahmad Lawan
And his best friend, the Minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama expressed shock on his twitter handle; “In deep shock and sorrow at the passing of Abba
Kyari, a best friend and brother. Chief of Staff to President @MBuhari. A true gem and great Nigerian patriot. Irreplaceable. RIP. #StayHomeSaveLives #COVID19 @NigeriaGov @DigiCommsNG @NGRPresident @OfficialAPCNg
Geoffery Onyeama
In a reaction, that Nigerians considered surprising, Femi Fani-Kayode said he lost a friend of 40 years. In words
I have lost a friend of 40 years. We were at Cambridge together. … 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 honor & a loyal friend. May his soul rest in peace.
FFK
Other Nigerians on Twitter. See some of the reactions below.
Abba Kyari is gone! May Allah admit him to paradise. It’s a big lesson for all of us: For politicians, power is transient and can’t save you. For those who allegedly used him, he’s gone. For those who insult him every day, he’s left the world to you.
Bulama Bukarti
Abba Kyari is dead. Alexa play me “I don’t care” by Ed Sheeran. I remember sometime in Feb when the FMoH was finding it difficult procuring supplies in preparation for this COVID-19 crisis bcos of a power play 2 yrs ago btw kyari & Isaac Adewole, the then minister of health.
Aduni Achebe
Many Nigerians celebrated the death of Abacha. Nigerians mourned the death of Musa Yar’Adua. Let Nigerians react to the death of Abba Kyari the way they feel like. No need to guilt trip anybody, what he did for Nigerians when he was alive will speak for him. May his soul RIP.
JAGABAN
The MyAlumni Magazine shares the thoughts of Fisayo Soyombo:
“I sincerely hope that Nigerians do not gloat over the death of Mallam Abba Kyari. May his soul rest in peace. Death is the end that all of us must suffer. One death won’t transform our health sector overnight. We still have our work cut out for us.”
Fisayo Soyombo
