Makkah Tops Coronavirus In Saudi Arabia, With 315 Out Of 8,274 Cases: 92 Deaths So Far

April 18, 2020

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.

Abba Kyari Died In Accredited Private Hospital, Of Coronavirus Complications – Lagos Govt

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

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.”

Abuja Rounds Up, Quarantines Those Who Participated In Burial Of Abba Kyari Without Protection

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

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.”

To My Friend, Mallam Abba Kyari, By President Muhammadu Buhari

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

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.

Muhammadu Buhari

President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

April 18, 2020.

Abba Kyari, The Man Hated By 2 Groups Of Nigerians, By Issa Mutolib Ayobami

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

Remain of late CoS, Abba Kyari being laid to rest

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.

Rest in peace, Mallam!

Abba Kyari’s Death: Presidents Of Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gowon Others Condole With Buhari

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

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.”

Abba Kyari Had Deep Sense Of Humour, Passionate About Buhari’s Legacies – Boss Mustapha

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Gida Mustapha has that some of the things people didn’t know about Abba Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari were that he had a deep sense of humour and was passionate about President Buhari’s legacies.

“If I show you my phone, you will see some of the things that he was sending to me even when he was confirmed positive with COVID-19. He was still sending jokes. Every piece of joke he picked up in the internet he would send it to me.

“He demonstrated a high level of commitment to his job and he had a passion for the legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari and in everything he did, he never cared who’s toes he stepped on, provided it was in the attainment of the legacies he believed President Buhari ought to leave.

“He was always very considerate. You might hold different opinions but he would drill the matter until he convinces you or you convince him.”

Boss Mustapha, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the burial rites of the departed Chief of Staff, said that his death was a personal loss to him and the President.

“It is a personal loss to me, the President and to the nation. I believe Malam Abba will be remembered for so many things. “He has done a great job for the nation. Malam Abba was a very good man and very determined, intellectually upright and he had a lot of foresight.

“A lot of people didn’t understand Malam Abba but I worked with him for three years and I can tell you that he was a wonderful person. He was a good man; deep down in his heart, he always meant well and I looked up to him as a senior brother in the course of the work that we did in the last three years.”

The SGF said that the death of Abba Kyari is a proof to Nigerians that coronavirus is real and it is a matter of life and death and advised Nigerians to take the matter serious and adhere to the advice of health authorities on how to prevent the spread of the disease.

“There are very big lessons to learn from the death of Abba Kyari. One of the key lessons for me is that this thing is real and it has come home. How closer can it be to us than this? That is why I keep saying that we should not play with this issue it is not a joke.

“It has come to ravage our people, ravage our health and ravage our wealth as a nation so we must take it more seriously and the advisory that have gone out about social distancing, washing of hands and staying at home are not punitive, they are meant for our good.

“We have seen it now, that it has come home to us. If we were thinking of people who had passed on as a result of COVID-19 from a distance, it is not far now. It is just like a brother or friend or a relative that has passed on. This is a man we worked with on a daily basis, you see him virtually every day so it’s a big lesson that our people should not joke with this, we must wash our hands, stay at home, use sanitizers and follow all the advisories religiously.”

Boss Mustapha said that though coronavirus is imported, but that Nigeria will deal with it because President Buhari has put in please measures for doing so.

Oh! Abba Kyari—-By Anule Emmanuel

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

1 Samuel 2: 6 says: The LORD brings death and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and raises up.

Mallam Abba Kyari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff has submitted to the will of God, the Almighty. He was a strong man indeed.

President Buhari will greatly miss Mallam Kyari. The CoS was his right hand man- the engine room, providing routine checks and balances in Aso Rock as a gatekeeper especially of the Presidency. He was an influential figure within the Buhari administration and wielded so much of power. No wonder, he made quite a handful of enemies who even wished him dead. For me, as Christians, we are enjoined to rather pray for our leaders.

Nigeria has missed an asset in Abba Kyari who was first appointed to the position on 27 August 2015. President Buhari renewed his appointment at the beginning of the second term on July 7, 2019.

Despite having been perceived as a tough man- I only began to admire him after perusing through his rich resume. He was a well lettered personality. Very scarce with words. Kyari was a seasoned technocrat vastly experienced in both Nigeria’s public and private sector, had extensive schooling in Europe and the United States, including at the University of Warwick, Cambridge University, the Institute of Management in Lausanne, Switzerland, and at Harvard. He was trained as lawyer, and had a successful career as a banker. He served as Editor of the New Africa Holdings Limited Kaduna, publishers of the defunct The Democrat based in Kaduna between 1988 to 1990.

People of sound education like him have always inspired me. I was not privileged to be close to him, but watched his display of energy on the job- walking back and forth, to and from the presidential office to confide with his boss, and very tirelessly too, his age notwithstanding!!

I join millions of Nigerians to mourn You Abba Kyari, Africa’s biggest victim of the dreaded Coronavirus.

Adieu!!

Nigerian Soldiers Take Battle Against Boko Haram To The Heart Of Sambisa Forest, Score Killed

Editorial staff

April 18, 2020

The Nigerian soldiers have taken the battle to the doorstep of Boko Haram terrorists in the heart of Sambisa forest, with the Air Task Force of the Operation Lafiya Dole killing several of the terrorists.

The airstrike also destroyed the terrorists’ logistics facility.

In a statement by the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, the operation followed diligent intelligence that confirmed that they were makeshift structures used by the terrorists as logistics base.

The statement reads: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, through the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has neutralized several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and destroyed a logistics facility within the heart of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State. This was achieved in an air interdiction mission executed on 16 April 2020 as part of ongoing operations to destroy the terrorists’ capabilities before they can be brought to bear against land forces and other targets.

“The air strike was conducted after series of day and night Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed that makeshift structures, hidden under the dense vegetation of the area, were being used by the terrorists to store their logistics as well as house their fighters. Consequently, the Air Task Force dispatched its fighter jets to attack the hideout, leading to the destruction of some of the structures as well as the killing of several terrorists. Post-strike battle damage assessment showed the logistics facility engulfed in flames.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the North East, will sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Nation.”