The demise of Alhaji Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President,
forced Governor Babagana Zulum Borno to shelved his three-day official
engagements in Ngala Local Government Area.
Zulum; before announcement of death, was to distribute food items,
wrappers and cash to 45,000 households and women in the council.
Spokesman to the Governor, Isa Gusau Saturday in Maiduguri; disclosed
that; “The Governor before Kyari’s death, was to distribute food items
to 13,433 displaced persons and also lay foundations for some
projects.”
According to him; Zulum mobilized Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
from various camps to offer prayers for the repose of Kyari’s soul,
after burying him at Gudu cemetery, Abuja.
“We have lost one of our own, Alhaji Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the
President.
“It is a big loss to us; because Borno state has just lost a rock. I
was really shocked by news of his demise,” said Zulum at Ngala prayers
ground.
Gusau said that Zulum received the sad news at Gambouru, a border town
with Cameroon; where he passed the night.
While offering prayers for Kyari, the spokesman said: “On Zulum’s
request, chief Imam of Ngala town, Goni Awari Goni Kadiri led a
gathering of other imams and displaced persons to offer prayers of
forgiveness and eternal peace in favour of the deceased.
“From God we all come from and to him we shall all return. We have
lost one of our own, Alhaji Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the
President.
“I last spoke with him exactly weeks ago and he was in good spirit by then.
“I shared grieves of his immediate family, His Excellency, Mr.
President and the Presidency as well as his larger family and Borno
people.”
Zulum said Kyari was a good man that was misunderstood by many people
and whatever it is, his appointed time has come and every human will
one day die.
He noted that no matter how long we live and for this divine reason,
good people or those with wisdom, do not celebrate the death of
anyone.
He therefore, urged the people to pray for the pass away of the Chief
of Staff to the President. On Kyari’s fight against Boko Haram, Zulum
said: “Kyari, before his demise of COVID-19 was sincerely passionate
about the fight against Boko Haram towards peace-building and
restoration in Borno state, the northeast and Nigeria.
“I will like this gathering of Imams to lead prayers for the late
chief of staff to have eternal peace. May Allah forgive his
shortcomings, admit him into paradise and give his family, other loved
ones and the people of Borno state the fortitude to bear his demise.
He also made similar calls at different IDP camps in both Ngala and
Gambouru towns when he multitudes of IDPs.
There was however mixed reactions over the death of Alhaji Kyari.
In Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, various groups comprising
youths and women along streets and markets told The Guardian that
Kyari was in the forefront of fighting Boko Haram insurgency at the
Presidency.
“He does not talk much, but works behind the scene in the Presidency
to ensure that troops are fully kitted and boost their moral to end
insurgency.
“Boko Haram have killed many of our people with the destruction many
property,” said one of youths leader, and member of Civilian JTF, who
not authorized to speak on demise of Kyari.
While the Borno state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
described late Kyari as the most powerful Chief of Staff to the
President in the history of Nigeria.
The factional state Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Zanna Gadamma said that
Kyari’s death is not only a big loss to Borno; but entire country and
humanity.
“Late ABBA Kyari was a professional banker, lawyer and an
administrator who has contributed his best to the development of this
country and humanity,” said Gadamma.
His words: “God has also made him the most powerful Chief of Staff to
the President in the history of Nigeria.
“Our prayer is for God to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.
“May God grant the family, Borno state and the nation the fortitude to
bear the loss.”
