Buhari’s chief of staff, Kyari died of coronavirus
The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, has died of coronavirus having earlier tested positive for the virus, and was thereafter moved from Abuja to a private hospital in Lagos for treatment.
Penpushing reports that President Mohammed Buhari spokesperson, Femi Adesina, confirmed this early Saturday morning in a tweet, stating Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon,”.
“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”,Adesina added
Penpushing recalled that, Kyari on March 23 tested positive for the virus, and on March 29 issued a first statement, on his decision to move to Lagos for further test and observation,adding. ‘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.”
Penpushing further reports that, while Kyari was receiving treatment in a private hospital, the Minister of Health, Prof Osagie Enahire came out to issue a warning, to private hospitals against treating coronavirus patients in their facilities.
The Minister emphasised that, instead they should promptly refer suspected cases to the various public facilities across States dedicated to the management
The deceased was appointed as Chief of Staff to President Buhari in 2015 and was reappointed last year after Buhari was re-elected, while a statement by the presidency said Kyari held Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology.
Penpushing also reports that, Kyari worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, the United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years.
