Ooni Of Ife Reacts To Abba Kyari’s Death

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described the death of Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the President Muhammadu Buhari as “shocking and an unfortunate surprise.”

Naija News had reported earlier that Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, died of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday, April 17.

A statement on the micro-blogging site, Twitter by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity confirmed the development.

The Presidential media aide tweeted: “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 had tweeted.

Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon.

— Femi Adesina (@FemAdesina) April 17, 2020

Reacting to Kyari’s death in a statement issued on Saturday in Ile-Ife by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni described the late Kyari as a coolheaded gentleman and great respecter of the traditional institution.

The Ooni of Ife said the late Kyari, until his death, handled his position as a public servant with dignity and dedication arising from his fervent belief and incorruptible patriotism and commitment to the Nigerian project.

The statement reads in part: “Ooni of Ife has received news of the death of Alhaji Abba Kyari with a rude shock and he sees it as a very unfortunate surprise.

“Late Abba Kyari was a detribalised Nigerian and coolheaded fine gentleman who had treated traditional institutions with love and respect.

“Ooni immediately after the news was confirmed made a phone communication to the wife and children of the late Chief of Staff.

“He prayed for the gentle soul of the deceased and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement added.