Kyari: President Buhari thanks Nigerians; Archbishop Kaigama, His Eminence, Uche, others condole with Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed appreciation to the many callers who condoled with him, the Kyari family and the nation, following the death of his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari.
This is as the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama and the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Uche, have commiserated with the President on the death of Kyari.
The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday, thanked the many sympathisers for their letters of condolence, adherence to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic, including maintaining social distancing and staying at home, even as they mourn the deceased.
“By heeding the calls to avoid large gatherings, you are playing a part in the effort to defeat the Coronavirus pandemic,” said the President.
Among those who lately sent condolence messages or telephoned are the Executive Secretariat of the Sahel-Saharan States, CENSAD and its Executive Secretary, Ambassador Ibrahim Sani Abani, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwan Sulaiman Adamu, two former Ministers, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and Brigadier-General Mansur Dan Ali (rtd) and an APC leader, Chief Yohanna Dalyop from Plateau State.
Similar messages were received from Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda from Beijing, China, His Highness, Ambassador Peter Ogide-Oke, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, Ambassador Uzo Nwobu, Ambassador Haruna Wando, Ambassador Iliyasu Audu Paragalda from Turkey as well as Hon. Kaka Bolori, Senator Andy Uba and Senator Saidu Kumo.
The President also received messages from Dr. Kabir Usman Kabo, the Director General, International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Chairman, Max Airliners, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, President and CEO of Azman Air, Wazirin Dutse, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, the Executive Secretary of the Great Green Wall, Dr. Bukar Hassan as well as the Secretariat of the Surveyors Registration Council of Nigeria.
Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement in Abuja that the condolence messages of the two religious leaders, Archbishop Kaigama and His Eminence Uche, were contained in separate letters addressed to President Buhari on Monday.
In a letter of condolence, on behalf of the priests and all the Catholic faithful of Abuja Archdiocese to the President, Kaigama extended heartfelt condolences to the families and relations of many Nigerians who have lost their lives to the Coronavirus pandemic
The cleric encouraged the president to ‘‘stand strong in faith in these trying times and continue to work resolutely’’ with his team within the resources and possibilities available.
While pledging the support of the Catholic Church to the fight to curb the spread of the virus, Kaigama prayed ‘‘that Nigeria and Nigerians will pass through this difficult time with sobriety and equanimity and come out with a greater and genuine sense of love for God and neighbour.’’
On his part, the Methodist Prelate prayed God to console the President and family of the deceased.
The President also received separate messages of condolence from Chief Bisi Akande, pioneer National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Bashir Tofa, presidential candidate in the June 12, 1993 election,
Others who sent their condolence messages included Sen. Adolphus Wabara, former President of the Senate, the President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Mr Habu Gumel, and the Soun of Ogbomosholand, Oba Oladunni Ajagungbade III.
