As Nigerians mourn the demise of Abba Kyari, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has also conveyed his condolence and that of citizens of the state in a Press Release through his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.
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The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari on the death of the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, who passed on Friday.
Governor Fayemi who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also commiserated with the family of the late Chief of Staff as well as members of the President’s cabinet, describing Mallam Kyari’s death as saddening and devastating.
Fayemi in a condolence message in Ado- Ekiti on Saturday, described Kyari’s death as a great tragedy and a monumental loss to Nigeria at a very critical period.
The Governor said Kyari’s death should serve as a battle cry of unity for all Nigerians irrespective of their affiliations to join hands with the government to wage a total war against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said Mallam Kyari will be sorely missed by the Presidency, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Federal Executive Council and other statutory bodies he served as member in his capacity as CoS to the President.
Dr Fayemi described Kyari as a reliable partner of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), which he chairs, on issues of development of the Nigerian federation.
He further described Kyari as a committed patriot and altruistic servant who dedicated his life to the service of his fatherland both in the private and public sectors.
According to him, the late Chief of Staff was a goal getter who delivered on any assignment committed to his hands because of his belief that service should always come first.
The Governor said Kyari played a part in the historic victory of the APC in the 2015 general election and the equally unforgettable re-election achieved by the party in the 2019 polls.
While noting that Kyari died while on active national service, Dr Fayemi said his sense of selflessness is worthy of emulation by all and sundry.
Fayemi said: “While the nation is mourning the death of Malam Abba Kyari, his death should unite all Nigerians irrespective of their leanings to join hands with the government to defeat COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is a common enemy that we must all defeat, Mallam Kyari’s death should further fire our collective resolve to fight the pandemic to a standstill.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased on this very huge loss. I also commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari on the loss of a dependable ally and a loyal aide. May the Almighty Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.
Signed
Yinka Oyebode
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Also, in a personal comment, Governor Fayemi said ‘The passing of Mallam Abba Kyari, who was until his demise the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, came as a shock as we had all been hoping and praying for his recovery, following the statement from the Presidency late March that he had tested positive to COVID 19, and was receiving treatment.
I have known Mallam Kyari for close to a decade, and in this time I have been privileged to develop a close relationship with him in the course of politics and governance. He was a very close friend and ally of our president, and had many friends amongst the political elite, but he was not quite a politician – he was a man of power. A man who understood that power does not necessarily come with political offices, but with those who have earned the trust and respect of their principals and a large network of friends and associates across every sphere of life, and across the country and beyond.
What many people know of the dear departed are aspects of his latter years serving as undoubtedly one of the most influential men in this administration. What many don’t know is that the reach of his influence in the affairs of this country was built on a track record of diligence, integrity, and professionalism, spanning many decades in the private and public sectors. He had an enviable educational pedigree in Sociology, Law, and Management from some of the finest institutions in the world, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983.
After a short period of practice as a lawyer, and some time in the media as an Editor, he went on to serve in various capacities in the financial services sector, rising to become the Chief Executive Officer of the United Bank for Africa (UBA). He was a commissioner for Forestry and Animal Resources in Borno state, and also former board director of Unilever Nigeria and Exxon Mobil Nigeria.
His prolific professional background meant that he brought to the presidency proven capacity and the key connections to get things done; and this explains why he quickly earned the reputation as an effective and efficient administrator. He was of the breed of conservative professionals who were of few words and ever self-effacing, often taking the heat for any perceived missteps of the Buhari administration, and was greatly misunderstood by many. But Mallam didn’t care much about shaping favourable narratives about his person; all he ever cared about was loyally doing the bidding of his principal, and what he considered to be in the best interest of our great country. He took many knocks on behalf of his principal and the administration, and seldom got any credit. I am however sure that posterity would be kind to him and his legacy of service to the country.
The COVID 19 pandemic has sadly claimed the lives of a number of Nigerians, including our dear Mallam Abba Kyari. It is indeed a great leveller and very random in its selection of victims. But we know that above all things, regardless of the circumstances, it is only God who determines when any person’s sojourn on this side of eternity is up. Who are we to question Him? This should however drive home the severity of the situation we are contending with, and how important it is that we trust authorities at all levels, and comply with all directives made in good faith aimed at keeping us safe, and minimising the impact of the pandemic on our lives and circumstances. These are difficult times but would soon pass by God’s grace.
On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, I offer profound condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Kyari family, and all those who held him dear. It is with a deep sense of loss, but with total submission to the will of God that I bid farewell to a dear senior friend, patriot, and Officer of the Order of the Niger. May his soul rest in perfect peace’.
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State
Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum
Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State | Saturday, April 18, 2020
pub-5160901092443552
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