Abiola Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo State and APC Deputy National Chairman(South), has joined other Nigerians in mourning the death of Alhaji Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ajimobi said in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan that the president and the nation had lost a friend, patriot and partner.
“It’s with a great sense of personal loss and grief that I mourn the unexpected passage of Malam Abba Kyari, the patriotic, hardworking, loyalist and Chief of Staff to our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.
READ ALSO: NCDC condemns mass gathering at Abba Kyari’s burial
“By his death, our president and our nation have lost a friend, a patriot and partner in the journey towards building a nation of our dream,” he said.
The former governor described Kyari’s death as a great loss to the country, adding that the deceased died at a time his wise counsel and calm disposition were critically needed.
“His death is especially painful having paid the ultimate price in the service of the fatherland as he is said to have contracted the dreaded COVID-19 virus while representing the country on an official assignment.
“Though we knew he was sick as a result of the disease, all the same, we thought he would overcome the ailment, thus, his death came suddenly and unexpected.
“I share in the grief of our president, our nation, his family and close associates who would continue to miss the void he left behind,” he said.
Ajimobi, who said that no words could adequately capture the grief and pains of the loss, prayed Almighty Allah console all at this trying period.
“As we all mourn the passing away of this great Nigerian, let me leave you with the words of Late Nelson Mandela.
“Death is something inevitable: When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace,” he said.
Ajimobi, who said that the late Kyari had done his duty to his people and his country, prayed his soul to rest in peace.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Presidency on Saturday morning had announced the passage of Kyari.
Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, confirmed the development in a statement in Abuja.
”The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020, ” the statement said.