By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Like a mortal and in accordance with his Islamic religion, the body of Mallam Abba Kyari the late Chief of Staff (CoS) to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who died of the novel Coronavirus disease has been laid to rest this morning (Saturday) in Abuja.
The low key burial ceremony which took place at Gudu cemetery in Apo District was preceded by a brief prayer session held at his Defence House residence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The remains which were brought to the cemetery in a white Ambulance bus were driven by a driver who was fully dressed in a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) just like other attendants who assisted in bringing the body of the late top Presidential aide to the burial site.
With many of those at the cemetery to bid the top technocrat farewell wearing face masks, an Imam offered a brief prayer before and after the body was laid to rest.
His death was announced in the early hours of Saturday by Presidential Media Adviser, Mr Femi Adesina.
“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”, Adesina said in the terse statement.
Prompt News reports that Mr Kyari was the first high profile government officials to be tested by @NCDCgov and he tested positive for the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19).
Few days after his result became a piece of public knowledge, late Kyari announced via a statement that he would be leaving for Lagos to seek private medical attention.
Unfortunately, this great statesman who served Nigeria in various capacities including the last job as the CoS to President Muhammadu Buhari could not make it back to Abuja alive.
