The Nigerian president’s chief of staff died on Friday from COVID-19, the presidency said on Saturday, making him the most high profile person in the country to die in the coronavirus outbreak.
Abba Kyari had acted as the gatekeeper to 77-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari. After his re-election last year, Buhari ordered ministers to channel all communications through him, Reuters reported.
Kyari had underlying health problems including diabetes. Reuters reported on March 24 that he had contracted the disease.
“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,” said Buhari in a tweet, using an honorific title for Kyari.
He referred to Kyari as his “loyal friend and compatriot for the last 42 years” who, as chief of staff, “strove quietly and without any interest in publicity or personal gain” to implement the president’s agenda.
Nigeria has 493 confirmed cases and 17 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
