On Saturday 18th April 2020 the entire nation woke up to read the passage of the President Buhari Chief of Staff, Late Abba Kyari who died at the age of 82 years as a result of the contamination of the pandemic Corona Virus code-named Covid-19.
Unarguably, he was the engine of the engine room of the Buhari’s administration; a committed and honest patriot who caught a deadly virus in the line of duty.
Abba Kyari hailed from Borno State, North-East Nigeria and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Warwick, England, in 1980. He also obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law from the University of Cambridge, England and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983. In 1984, he then proceeded to obtain a Masters’ Degree in Law from his alma mater, the University of Cambridge.
As an administration savvy, Kyari attended the International Institute for Management Development at Lausanne, Switzerland, and participated in the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School, in 1992 and 1994 respectively.
In furtherance to his contributions to the growth of the Nation, Abba Kyari was a recipient of the Nigerian Honor Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (O.O.N).
However, I have read with dismay the argument over the sudden loss of this great hero who sacrificed everything to display loyalty to his boss by virtue of the office he occupied.
To many people who know what it takes for someone to be appointed as chief of staff, apart from the administrative skills, the remaining important ingredient is loyalty.
Loyalty, allegiance, fidelity all imply a sense of duty or of devoted attachment to something or someone. Loyalty connotes sentiment and the feeling of devotion that one holds for one’s country, creed, family, friends, while allegiance applies particularly to a citizen’s duty to his or her country, or, by extension, one’s obligation to support a party, cause, leader and Fidelity implies unwavering devotion and allegiance to a person, principle, etc.
From the recent article I wrote earlier on loyalty, let me repeat here again that loyalty is 100 per cent nothing more, nothing less. The means of bending corner to prove loyalty is demeaning.
One does not need to be told that late Abba Kyari was a loyal ally of President Buhari’s and was loyal to the core.
The success recorded by the Buhari administration cannot be said without his contributions, sacrifice and dedication. In fact, if there is anyone who wants and believes Buhari to succeed, then Its Abba Kyari.
The cabals in the presidency were the ones sharing concocted news that Abba Kyari assignment was affecting the office of the Vice President, and I asked if they can give one scenario where the constitutional power given to the office of the Vice President has been trampled upon by the Kyari? Till date, no one can come out with any fact or evidence.
At least if one is not so close to the presidency, one can learn from his state that the Chief of Staff to the governor is more notice than the Deputy governor, if you are doubting this, check your state of origin. In fact, I called him Presidency life wire.
The beer-parlour insinuation that Abba Kyari is maltreating Vice President Osinbajo is watery and unsubstantiated and every member of the society must refrain from this satanic allusion.
Undoubtedly, Kyari was an influential figure within the Buhari presidency as was responsible for implementing the President’s agenda behind the scene. He has a full understanding of the president and ready to sacrifice all.
While in office, he was very dedicated to the assignment bestowed on him. That he died from a virus he contracted on a national assignment to Germany while discharging the huge burden of trust, makes him, indeed, a national hero.
If Abba Kyari was the one blocking Appointment of those castigating him on CBN and NNPC or the reason why they couldn’t make it in life, now that Abba Kyari is no more, they can go and explore the world and become whatever they wanted to become and never be a useless person again.
Lastly, I also wish to lend my voice with millions of Nigerians to commiserate with President Muhammad Buhari, Kyari’s family and the people of Borno State over the loss of the departed soul, May Allah accept his return and forgive him all his shortcomings and grant the soul Aljanah Firdaous. Allahumo Igfirili Warihamuhum. Amin
Verily, an epitome of loyalty, hardwork and dedication has gone to rest and this is another reminder to all of us that truly death is an inevitable end. May God give us a perfect end. Amen.
Fatai Abiodun ICT Expert| Public Affairs Analyst| Media Guru
Writes from Abuja
albarka200709@yahoo.com
