ABBA Kyari: ENDORSED AT DEATH...still the doubts linger. By Chukwudi Okolie-ugbaja, Abuja-based freelance Journalist

The publicity which Mallam Abba Kyari shunned while he was alive would seem to have been dished out to him at death by two political heavyweights....President Mohammadu Buhari and Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama. Buhari's tribute to Kyari remains one of the most intimate I have listened to for as long as I can remember. In Kyari, Buhari found a friend and a loyal cabinet member and made it clear that their acquaintance with each other dated back some 42 years. He would miss a man who had become his 'de facto' second-in-command. 

The Foreign Affairs Minister would later go on Channels TV to talk about a man who though a Muslim, was his best man at a Christian wedding he vividly recalled.

Their days at Warrick University were clearly a fond memory for a sober Onyeama who portrayed Kyari as self-effacing and clearly misunderstood by many. The Foreign Affairs Minister recalled how he was so moved by insinuations of underhand dealings by Kyari in the MTN fine saga that he approached his 'friend' of 43 years for an explanation.

Onyeama said Kyari denied any interest or gain in the matter and showed him documents to support his claims.

Put the accounts by Buhari and Onyeama about Kyari together and you'll end up scratching your head concerning  the ugly image a good chunk of the Nigerian public had reserved for the late Chief of Staff. 

As a communications teacher and student there are points that need to be made about the Kyari phenomenon.

The man was clearly an enigma who smiled only when it was absolutely necessary. He wielded power no doubt, but what pundits will ponder in future analyses is whether powerful Kyari was more powerful in his loyalty to President Mohammadu Buhari to the point of quietly taking bullets meant for the Nigerian leader or was merely living a life that shunned adulation and photo opportunity in pursuit of more meaningful national assignments.

Kyari did have a little public spat with a former Head of Service and the reported sack of a Kano state commissioner for 'celebrating' his death in a tweet was somewhat, eye-opening. The National  Security Adviser also reportedy kicked against Kyari's 'dabbling' in security matters.

But if the President had expressly told whoever wanted to see him to always go through Kyari, it followed that the late Chief of Staff had influence in virtually every sphere of the Nigerian life.

Kyari was taciturn, publicity-shy but coolly efficient.

If dead men do think, he might now be wondering whom all the posthumous rants and noise are for!

But then, he would remember that he lived in a country known for chasing shadows while substance jeered from the background.

Abba Kyari was silent in his lifetime. 

The silence from his grave can only be super and final!

Dead men don't bite but sometimes they leave behind arguments that taunt the mental processes of those who cling to life!

If you ask me, I think that the late Chief of Staff had quite a few things to explain in 'Nigeria And Me'.

But that would be a morbid publication.

Mortal eyes don't read from dead men!

So, maybe we should just let Abba Kyari go to his final sleep!

Chukwudi Okolie-Ugbaja is an Abuja-based freelancer.

Nigerian government condemns unprofessional conduct at ABBA KYARI'S Burial

Nigeria government condemns unprofessional conduct at ABBA KYARI'S Burial

Press Release 

COVID 19: Unprofessional conduct at Gudu cemetery 

The Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCT Administration has noted with concern the video trending on social media, showing a man pulling off his Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) unprofessionally after participating in the burial of the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Abba Kyari, at the Gudu cemetery, Abuja. 

The Public Health Department has since taken neccasry action. 

The said PPE left over by the individual has been

professionally *evacuated and the entire cemetery has been decontaminated. In addition, all the individuals including the man in question that participated in the burial and were not properly* kitted have been identified and are being isolated. 

Necessary tests will conducted on all of them to determine their level of exposure and ensure that they do not infect other people. 

The Administration has also taken steps to ensure that all future burials of victims of COVID 19 are conducted in line with protocols established by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). 

Residents are therefore urged to remain calm and rest assured that the FCT Administration will continue to do all that is necessary to curtail and eventually end the spread of the Coronavirus in the FCT. 

Dr Mohammed Kawu,  Ag Secretary Health and Human Services Secretariat FCTA

Who was Former President Buhari's Chief Of Staff, Mallam ABBA Kyari?

Abba Kyari OON (died 17 April 2020) was a Nigerian politician who served as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari

Abba Kyari, OON Chief of Staff to the President Muhammadu Buhari

In office 27 August 2015 – 17 April 2020

*Education*

University of Warwick

University of Cambridge

Alma mater

Nigerian Law School

Harvard Business School

International Institute for Management Development

*Awards*

Order of the Niger

*Family and personal life*

*Early life and education*

A Kanuri from Borno, not much is known about his early life. In 1980, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Warwick, and also received a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cambridge. In 1983, he was called to the Nigerian Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School

In 1984, he obtained a master's degree in law from the University of Cambridge. 

He later attended 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.

*Family*

Kyari was married to the sister-in-law of Ibrahim Tahir and had four children

*Health*

On March 24, 2020, it was made public that Kyari tested positive for COVID-19 on March 23, following an official trip to Germany nine days before.

*Professional career*

Kyari worked for the law firm Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo for some time after his return to Nigeria.

From 1988 to 1990, he was Editor with the New Africa Holdings Limited Kaduna.

In 1990, he served as a Commissioner for Forestry and Animal Resources in Borno State.

From 1990 to 1995, Kyari was the secretary to the board of African International Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

Kyari was an executive director in charge of management services at the United Bank for Africa, and was later appointed the chief executive officer. In 2002, he was appointed a board director of Unilever Nigeria, and later served on the board of Exxon Mobil Nigeria.

*Political career*

In August 2015, Kyari was appointed Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

*Power politics*

Kyari was an influential figure within the Buhari administration. During the administration's first term, he worked mainly behind the scenes to implement the president's agenda. In 2019 with Buhari's re-election for a second term, he ordered his cabinet to channel all requests through Kyari's office. Further enhancing his influence within government circles, and being labelled as the de facto head of government.

In 2017, following a leaked memo, Kyari became embroiled in a public argument with the Head of Civil Service, who was later removed from office and arrested.

In 2020, in another leaked memo, Babagana Monguno the National Security Adviser accused Kyari of meddling in matters of national security.

*Death*

Kyari died in a Lagos hospital on 17 April 2020,he died from complications related to COVID-19

May the Soul of departed Rest In Peace