Buhari Mourns Abba Kyari, his friend of 42 years in a heartfelt letter personally addressed to the deceased.
According him, Abba Kyari was a loyal friend, a true patriot and a selfless technocrat who worked round the clock for the good of the nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari added that he was not self serving but sought the advancement of the Nigerian nation. This according to the president, is in spite of his world class academic background.
Full text of Buhari’s letter:
TO MY FRIEND, MALLAM ABBA KYARI
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 past 42 years and lately, my Chief-of-Staff – he never wavered in his commitment to the betterment of every one of us.
He was only in his 20s 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 Kyari would bring his first-rte 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 2 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 quint 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 validation.
He secured instead satisfaction and his reward solely from the improvement of the governance of this great country.
Working, without fail, 7 days each and every week, he acted forcefully as a crucial gatekeeper 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 his person and his practice, always, that every Nigerian, regardless of faith, family fortune or frailty – was heard and tread=ted respectfully and the same.
Mallam Abba Kyari was the very best of all 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
Copy of the letter:
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