Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has sent a sympathy message to President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire Abba Kyari family on the passing of Malam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President.
The Minister, in a statement today, April 19, described the late Chief of Staff as a quintessential administrator whose great wealth of experience spanning both the public and private sectors was positively brought to bear in the management of the affairs of the country including the FCT.
He prayed that Almighty Allah grants him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
On January 18, 2020, when I first read of the new coronavirus on the BBC website, my heart missed a beat because of what China means to the world. The headline was: “New virus in China ‘will have infected hundreds’.” And these were the opening paragraphs: “The number of people already infected by the mystery virus emerging in China is far greater than official figures suggest, scientists have told the BBC. There have been more than 60 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, but UK experts estimate a figure nearer 1,700. Two people are known to have died from the respiratory illness, which appeared in Wuhan city in December.” I feared for Nigeria in particular.
After reading the story, I immediately sent a link to Mallam Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, with the note: “Good afternoon Mallam. We need to watch it.” How on earth would I have known that exactly three months later, Kyari would be gone, consumed by the same virus? At the time, as the BBC reported, there were only two deaths from the coronavirus disease in the world — and both were in Wuhan. It had not been declared a pandemic by WHO. No other country had recorded any case. It looked so distant that I was even asking myself: “What do you want the chief of staff to do about it?” The whole experience now looks surreal to me.
We regularly exchanged chats and compared notes as the virus began to cause more concern across the world. Shortly after Nigeria recorded its index case — an Italian — on February 27, he finally began to express his worries to me. Let me reproduce his chat in whole: “How many intensive care units do we have ready to admit acute cases? How quickly can we increase the numbers if the virus spreads? How many nurses do we have to deploy immediately and how quickly can we increase the numbers? How many ventilators do we have and how many should we ideally have and how quickly can we increase the numbers?” He said these were his own concerns.
Along the line, Buhari directed Kyari to lead a government delegation to Germany to discuss with Siemens about power infrastructure in Nigeria. The discussions were on how to improve the national grid, which is one of the biggest problems of the power sector. They also discussed building additional plants to improve generation. After the discussions in Germany, he travelled back to Nigeria via the UK. On the weekend of March 21, he was involved in a series of meetings on measures to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.
He was said to have coughed frequently, leading to suggestions that he should run a test since he just returned from Europe.
For the record, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had not officially classified Germany and UK as red zones requiring self-isolation as at the time he returned to the country. He was in Germany and the UK from March 8 to 12, and arrived Abuja on March 13. NCDC designated Germany as “high risk” on March 16 and added the UK to the list on March 17. When the result of his test came out on Monday, March 23, he sent me a message that he had tested positive and was going on self-isolation immediately. I was shattered, shattered because I knew he had an underlying medical condition, but hopeful because his symptoms looked mild: just the cough.
While he was on self-isolation, we had regular phone calls. I normally would call him on WhatsApp voice but he would switch to video and I knew why: he wanted to prove to me that his life was not in danger. He knew I was really worried for him. Rumour was all over the internet that he was on a ventilator, that he was at Gwagwalada Hospital, that he had been flown to the UK or Cuba. Ironically, he was not bothered about the rumours. He did not sound bitter. He was even forwarding them to me and we would share a laugh. He said he was more interested in the goodwill messages he was getting. We still don’t know if he caught the virus in Germany, UK, on a flight or in Nigeria.
On March 29, something happened that got me worried again: he was not picking his calls. I later understood that the cough had worsened and he could not use the regular syrups because they contain sugar. That made his treatment more complicated. He later sent me a message that he was coming to Lagos for further checks and observation, and that the cough was not getting better. That was the last time we exchanged messages or made contact. As soon as he got to Lagos, all messages to his phone went unread. I had to rely on family members and friends to get updates and the impression I got was that he was getting better but the recovery was slow.
In the meantime, he was getting bashed all over the internet. His “death” or “removal” was regularly announced on Twitter or Instagram. But I was assured that, indeed, he was getting better with “encouraging signs”. As of 5pm on Friday, the message I got was that he was “much better” but the doctors were being “cautious”. A few hours later, Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, tweeted that Kyari had passed away. It was most devastating. What began with mild to moderate symptoms had gone out of hand. I understand that COVID-19 kills many patients that way: when you think it is all over, like it’s one step away from the worst, there comes a sudden lethal blow.
Some people have been rejoicing since Kyari tested positive for the virus. The gloating has been massive. Some are not even satisfied that he is dead. They wish they could kill the dead body as well and desecrate his grave. They are all over the social media denigrating the dead. They have their reasons, I believe. I know for sure that the mortal hatred for Buhari was extended to him, so even in death they can’t leave him alone. They said he was Nigeria’s biggest problem. He was to blame for everything that was not going well in the country. Now that Kyari is dead, I am anxiously waiting for all Nigeria’s problems to be solved finally. It would be a thing of joy.
Some said they hated Kyari because he was the one responsible for the relegation of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in the power structure. Now that Kyari is dead, let us see what happens next. Some people told me Kyari is a “usurper” — that nobody voted for him yet he was the one “running” Nigeria. Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), the national security adviser, wrote a stinging memo last year accusing Kyari of overriding presidential powers and preventing him from buying arms and ammunition for the military. Now that Kyari is dead, let us see what happens next. My understanding of power is that you can only be as powerful as the president wants you to be.
My biggest disappointment with Kyari is that he refused to tell his story. When he was accused of taking a bribe from MTN, he explained to me how he opposed the reduction of the $5.2 billion fine, how he was excluded from the resolution committee because of his stand, and how some people met in Dubai and drafted a position paper that formed 80 percent of the final settlement agreement. He said he didn’t know if anybody took bribe, but he was not part of it and his conscience was clear to God. So why not grant an interview to clear your name? His reply: “My boss knows I will never betray his trust. I don’t need to defend myself.” And there is no counter narrative till today.
Anytime a serious allegation, especially of corruption, was levelled against him, I would put him on the spot. He would explain every detail and tell me who was behind the allegation and why they were after him. I would say: “Okay, Mallam, can we publish?” In the most frustrating manner, he would reply: “No. I’m only explaining this for you to know the correct facts. I’m not asking you to defend me. But even if you want to defend me during arguments or discussions, I want you to do it on the basis of facts, not emotions.” I once told him in despair: “It is not about you alone, Mallam! I worry about the stigma your children will carry for life.” He could not be bothered.
Clearly, there was a well-oiled campaign against him basically because of the allegation that he “usurped” power. On his own, at times, he would forward links to the damaging stories to me. “Simon,” he would say, “don’t forget that I was once an editor. There is a difference between investigative journalism and planted stories. These are planted stories.” The narration of everything that went wrong in Buhari’s government was constructed to put the blame at Kyari’s doorstep. He was definitely not a saint but I know that when one person is being blamed for every wrong, there is certainly an orchestrated agenda at play. I have been a journalist for 27 years of my life.
I knew Kyari closely for 10 years. He was a simple man, deeply intellectual and not one to run away from enforcing the rules. We argued frequently, particularly on economic policy which was his major area of interest. He regularly bought me books on economics and sociology. He often invited me for lunch or dinner anytime he was in London and all we discussed was Nigeria and the development challenge. He was very passionate about infrastructure and industrialisation. But he always kept quiet on damaging media reports against him. Maybe that is what chiefs of staff do: take the bullets for their bosses and go to their graves with all the secrets. Adieu, Mallam.
Oh yes, that is life! We lost Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, April 17, 2020. That he did not seem to have recovered from Covid 19 which he tested positive to should be proof that we are dealing with the greatest danger that has threatened the safety and security of man on Earth in living memory.
And to us in Nigeria its biggest catch is Mallam Abba Kyari who will go down in our history as on of the most dedicated men who have occupied that office of Chief of Staff.
The President will miss him. But we must too, even if he refused to be part of our gossip about how he was the Lord of the Aso Manor. He was close to the President because his position demanded it. We have no proof that he abused that trust. But anyone who occupied the post or any other position for that matter must know that there is a waiting day to account for your deeds. You must give an account to the Creator of the Universe of what you did with the opportunity(ies) you had to serve. Every service is a sowing which must bear fruit for you to reap here or the hereafter. It is a personal burden you bear if you do not know that you must account for everything you did while here.
A friend wrote a condolence piece to me on Abba Kyari whom I have known and related to since he worked in the Democrat, a Newspaper established by Ismaila Isa Funtua. What I said is true of everyone who comes here to the Earth.
This is the text — We are here as travellers in Creation. This Earth is one of the Bus Stations. We stop over briefly, from the time we are born until we move on through death. The destination is Paradise which we came from and must work hard and hope to return to.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has sent a consolation words to Hajiya Kulu, over the death of her husband, Abba Kyari, who was Chief of Staff to the President.
In a message she personally sent today, April 18, Mrs. Buhari reminded Hajiya Kulu that “we all come from God Almighty and to Him we shall return.
“I condole with Mrs. Kulu Abba Kyari and the entire family of Late Malam Abba Kyari over the death of their husband and father.
“I pray that Allah (SWT) will forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdausi and give the family the fortitude and patience to bear the loss, Ameen.
“While wishing all those infected a speedy recovery and I pray for an end to Covid-19 Pandemic.”
Also Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Mrs. Dolapo expressed their sympathies to President Buhari, Mrs. Kulu Kyari, the children, and members of the family of laye Abba Kyari.
“May the Lord comfort and be with you all in Jesus name, amen.”
Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed that a total of 8,274 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the Kingdom as at today, April 18.
Figures released by the special task force today, showed that Makkah, the epic centre of the annual pilgrimage, is leading with 315 cases.
Jeddah, the main commercial city, comes second with 236 cases, closely followed by the federal capital city of the Kingdom, Riyadh, with 225 cases.
Medinah, the maternal city of Prophet Muhammad, which serves as second epic centre of the pilgrimage, has 186 cases and Dammam, with 88 cases.
The virus, according to the figures, had spread to more than 20 towns and cities of the Kingdom.
The figures show that out of the total number of the cases, 1,329 recoveries were recorded and 92 deaths witnessed. Today alone, 1,132 cases have been recorded.
Meanwhile, the global situation shows that 2,265,727 cases of coronavirus have been recorded with 154,789 deaths and 557,060 recoveries recorded.
Lagos State government, where Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari died late yesterday, April 17, has confirmed that he died in a private hospital accredited for management of coronavirus cases.
In a statement today, April 18, the state commissioner for health, Dr. Akin Abayomi, said that the clarification was prompted by enquiries on the passing away of Abba Kyari.
“The Lagos State Government states that: Mallam Abba Kyari died from complications of Coronavirus infection at First Cardiology Consultants in Lagos. “This hospital is a Lagos State designated high care, biosecurity- compliant, COVID-19 facility, accredited by the Health Facility Management and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) of the Lagos State Ministry of Health.
“As a basis for accreditation, First Cardiology Consultants established a separate specialist wing with staff dedicated to the treatment of complicated cases of COVID-19, under the supervision of the Lagos State COVID-19 emergency response team.”
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA), Abuja, has announced that it had rounded up and quarantined all those without protective kits, who participated in the burial, today, April 18, of Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, who died yesterday of coronavirus complications in Lagos.
“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.”
A statement today, signed by the acting secretary in the Health and Human Resources Secretariat of the FCTA, Dr. Mohammed Kawu, was issued against the background of a video clip trending in social media, showing a man pulling off his Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) unprofessionally after participating in the burial of the late Abba Kyari, at the Gudu cemetery, Abuja.
Dr. Mohammed Kawu gave assurance that the said PPE left over by the said individual has been professionally evacuated and that the entire cemetery has been decontaminated
“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.”
Mallam Abba Kyari, who died on 17th April, 2020, at the age of 67 from complications caused by the Coronavirus, was a true Nigerian patriot. My loyal friend and compatriot for the last 42 years – and latterly my Chief-of-Staff – he never wavered in his commitment to the betterment of every one of us.
He was only in his twenties when we first met. A diligent student, soon after he was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad – first at Warwick and then law at the University of Cambridge. But there was never any question Abba would bring his first-rate skills and newly acquired world-class knowledge back to Nigeria – which he did – immediately upon graduation.
Whilst possessing the sharpest legal and organisational mind, Abba’s true focus was always the development of infrastructure and the assurance of security for the people of this nation he served so faithfully. For he knew that without both in tandem there can never be the development of the respectful society and vibrant economy that all Nigerian citizens deserve.
In political life, Abba never sought elective office for himself. Rather, he set himself against the view and conduct of two generations of Nigeria’s political establishment – who saw corruption as an entitlement and its practice a byproduct of possessing political office.
Becoming my Chief of Staff in 2015, he strove quietly and without any interest in publicity or personal gain to implement my agenda.
There are those who said of him that he must be secretive – because he did not have a high public profile. But Abba was the opposite: he simply had no need, nor did he seek, the cheap gratification of the crowd; for him, there was nothing to be found in popular adulation. He secured instead satisfaction and his reward solely and only from the improvement of the governance of this great country.
Working, without fail, seven days each and every week, he acted forcefully as a crucial gatekeeper to the presidency, ensuring no one – whether minister or governor had access beyond another – and that all those representing and serving our country were treated equally.
He made clear in his person and his practice, always, that every Nigerian – regardless of faith, family, fortune or frailty – was heard and treated respectfully and the same.
Mallam Abba Kyari was the very best of us. He was made of the stuff that makes Nigeria great. Rest In Peace, my dearest friend.
To his loving wife and doting family who survive him, I extend my heartfelt sorrow at your loss.
Abba Kyari is dead. He’s a man many Nigerians hated. Yes, he was hated by two groups. The first are the political gladiators who envied him and wanted to wield the same influence as him did, not for anything, but for their self-serving interests!
The second group are common Nigerians, who I don’t blame. They hated him because of the stories the first group successfully sold to them. They also hated him because of the failures of President Muhammadu Buhari, as they believe he’s the one wielding the powers of Mr. President!
I just see Abba Kyari as a man caught in the storm of a failed system, a victim who was at the receiving ends of elitist political conspiracies. The sad part was that he wasn’t able to tell his own story, because his office didn’t permit him to do so.
I hope one of his offsprings or aides will do so soon!
Take it or leave it, Abba Kyari was loyal to his friend and boss till death. He took all the stones and bullets for PMB. He protected the President from many foxes and hyenas. Yes, he had so many faults and committed so many mistakes, because he wasn’t perfect. No one is anyway!
This isn’t a time for anyone to gloat about his death. This is the time for us all to retrospect and see if we also have an Abba Kyari as a friend – someone who would be loyal to us till death.
Most importantly, I hope those who still think Covid-19 is a scam have by now woken up
The fact is that if Abba Kyari, with the best medical treatment, became a victim, who else can’t?
May Allah forgive him of his sins and receive him as a Shahidi.
President Muhammadu Buhari have been receiving messages of condolences from foreign and national leaders over the death of Abba Kyari, his late Chief of Staff.
A statement today, April 18, by a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said that the President received telephone calls from President Nana Akuffo-Ado of Ghana and President Muhammadou Youssoufou of Niger Republic.
The statement said that the President also received calls of condolences from ex-President Yayi Boni of Benin Republic and two former Nigerian Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
President Buhari received similar messages of condolence from the embassies of friendly countries including Egypt, Chad and Liberia.
Garba Shehu said that messages were also received from Governors Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Abubakar Bagudu, Kebbi, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State; former Governors of Katsina, Sa’idu Barda, Zamfara Abdulaziz Yari and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara as well as the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar 111 and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle.
“The Emirs of Kazaure, Najib Hussaini Adamu, Kebbi, General Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar (rtd), and that of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Al-Bashir Bukar; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu were among the early callers.
“Calls to the President were also received from Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, former Ministers, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and Gen. Ike Umaru Sanda Nwachukwu; Senators Monsurat Sunmonu and Kabiru Marafa as well as Pastor Tunde Bakare.”
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Oh yes, that is life! We lost Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, April 17, 2020. That he did not seem to have recovered from Covid 19 which he tested positive to should be proof that we are dealing with the greatest danger that has threatened the safety and security of man on Earth in living memory.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has sent a consolation words to Hajiya Kulu, over the death of her husband, Abba Kyari, who was Chief of Staff to the President.
Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed that a total of 8,274 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the Kingdom as at today, April 18.
Lagos State government, where Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari died late yesterday, April 17, has confirmed that he died in a private hospital accredited for management of coronavirus cases.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA), Abuja, has announced that it had rounded up and quarantined all those without protective kits, who participated in the burial, today, April 18, of Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, who died yesterday of coronavirus complications in Lagos.
Mallam Abba Kyari, who died on 17th April, 2020, at the age of 67 from complications caused by the Coronavirus, was a true Nigerian patriot. My loyal friend and compatriot for the last 42 years – and latterly my Chief-of-Staff – he never wavered in his commitment to the betterment of every one of us.
President Muhammadu Buhari have been receiving messages of condolences from foreign and national leaders over the death of Abba Kyari, his late Chief of Staff.
Now That Abba Kyari Is Dead, By Simon Kolawole
After reading the story, I immediately sent a link to Mallam Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, with the note: “Good afternoon Mallam. We need to watch it.” How on earth would I have known that exactly three months later, Kyari would be gone, consumed by the same virus? At the time, as the BBC reported, there were only two deaths from the coronavirus disease in the world — and both were in Wuhan. It had not been declared a pandemic by WHO. No other country had recorded any case. It looked so distant that I was even asking myself: “What do you want the chief of staff to do about it?” The whole experience now looks surreal to me.
We regularly exchanged chats and compared notes as the virus began to cause more concern across the world. Shortly after Nigeria recorded its index case — an Italian — on February 27, he finally began to express his worries to me. Let me reproduce his chat in whole: “How many intensive care units do we have ready to admit acute cases? How quickly can we increase the numbers if the virus spreads? How many nurses do we have to deploy immediately and how quickly can we increase the numbers? How many ventilators do we have and how many should we ideally have and how quickly can we increase the numbers?” He said these were his own concerns.
Along the line, Buhari directed Kyari to lead a government delegation to Germany to discuss with Siemens about power infrastructure in Nigeria. The discussions were on how to improve the national grid, which is one of the biggest problems of the power sector. They also discussed building additional plants to improve generation. After the discussions in Germany, he travelled back to Nigeria via the UK. On the weekend of March 21, he was involved in a series of meetings on measures to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.
He was said to have coughed frequently, leading to suggestions that he should run a test since he just returned from Europe.
For the record, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had not officially classified Germany and UK as red zones requiring self-isolation as at the time he returned to the country. He was in Germany and the UK from March 8 to 12, and arrived Abuja on March 13. NCDC designated Germany as “high risk” on March 16 and added the UK to the list on March 17. When the result of his test came out on Monday, March 23, he sent me a message that he had tested positive and was going on self-isolation immediately. I was shattered, shattered because I knew he had an underlying medical condition, but hopeful because his symptoms looked mild: just the cough.
While he was on self-isolation, we had regular phone calls. I normally would call him on WhatsApp voice but he would switch to video and I knew why: he wanted to prove to me that his life was not in danger. He knew I was really worried for him. Rumour was all over the internet that he was on a ventilator, that he was at Gwagwalada Hospital, that he had been flown to the UK or Cuba. Ironically, he was not bothered about the rumours. He did not sound bitter. He was even forwarding them to me and we would share a laugh. He said he was more interested in the goodwill messages he was getting. We still don’t know if he caught the virus in Germany, UK, on a flight or in Nigeria.
On March 29, something happened that got me worried again: he was not picking his calls. I later understood that the cough had worsened and he could not use the regular syrups because they contain sugar. That made his treatment more complicated. He later sent me a message that he was coming to Lagos for further checks and observation, and that the cough was not getting better. That was the last time we exchanged messages or made contact. As soon as he got to Lagos, all messages to his phone went unread. I had to rely on family members and friends to get updates and the impression I got was that he was getting better but the recovery was slow.
In the meantime, he was getting bashed all over the internet. His “death” or “removal” was regularly announced on Twitter or Instagram. But I was assured that, indeed, he was getting better with “encouraging signs”. As of 5pm on Friday, the message I got was that he was “much better” but the doctors were being “cautious”. A few hours later, Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, tweeted that Kyari had passed away. It was most devastating. What began with mild to moderate symptoms had gone out of hand. I understand that COVID-19 kills many patients that way: when you think it is all over, like it’s one step away from the worst, there comes a sudden lethal blow.
Some people have been rejoicing since Kyari tested positive for the virus. The gloating has been massive. Some are not even satisfied that he is dead. They wish they could kill the dead body as well and desecrate his grave. They are all over the social media denigrating the dead. They have their reasons, I believe. I know for sure that the mortal hatred for Buhari was extended to him, so even in death they can’t leave him alone. They said he was Nigeria’s biggest problem. He was to blame for everything that was not going well in the country. Now that Kyari is dead, I am anxiously waiting for all Nigeria’s problems to be solved finally. It would be a thing of joy.
Some said they hated Kyari because he was the one responsible for the relegation of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in the power structure. Now that Kyari is dead, let us see what happens next. Some people told me Kyari is a “usurper” — that nobody voted for him yet he was the one “running” Nigeria. Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), the national security adviser, wrote a stinging memo last year accusing Kyari of overriding presidential powers and preventing him from buying arms and ammunition for the military. Now that Kyari is dead, let us see what happens next. My understanding of power is that you can only be as powerful as the president wants you to be.
My biggest disappointment with Kyari is that he refused to tell his story. When he was accused of taking a bribe from MTN, he explained to me how he opposed the reduction of the $5.2 billion fine, how he was excluded from the resolution committee because of his stand, and how some people met in Dubai and drafted a position paper that formed 80 percent of the final settlement agreement. He said he didn’t know if anybody took bribe, but he was not part of it and his conscience was clear to God. So why not grant an interview to clear your name? His reply: “My boss knows I will never betray his trust. I don’t need to defend myself.” And there is no counter narrative till today.
Anytime a serious allegation, especially of corruption, was levelled against him, I would put him on the spot. He would explain every detail and tell me who was behind the allegation and why they were after him. I would say: “Okay, Mallam, can we publish?” In the most frustrating manner, he would reply: “No. I’m only explaining this for you to know the correct facts. I’m not asking you to defend me. But even if you want to defend me during arguments or discussions, I want you to do it on the basis of facts, not emotions.” I once told him in despair: “It is not about you alone, Mallam! I worry about the stigma your children will carry for life.” He could not be bothered.
Clearly, there was a well-oiled campaign against him basically because of the allegation that he “usurped” power. On his own, at times, he would forward links to the damaging stories to me. “Simon,” he would say, “don’t forget that I was once an editor. There is a difference between investigative journalism and planted stories. These are planted stories.” The narration of everything that went wrong in Buhari’s government was constructed to put the blame at Kyari’s doorstep. He was definitely not a saint but I know that when one person is being blamed for every wrong, there is certainly an orchestrated agenda at play. I have been a journalist for 27 years of my life.
I knew Kyari closely for 10 years. He was a simple man, deeply intellectual and not one to run away from enforcing the rules. We argued frequently, particularly on economic policy which was his major area of interest. He regularly bought me books on economics and sociology. He often invited me for lunch or dinner anytime he was in London and all we discussed was Nigeria and the development challenge. He was very passionate about infrastructure and industrialisation. But he always kept quiet on damaging media reports against him. Maybe that is what chiefs of staff do: take the bullets for their bosses and go to their graves with all the secrets. Adieu, Mallam.
Culled from THISDAY.