Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State on Saturday described the death of chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, as a huge loss to the country.
Mr Kyari died of complications from the coronavirus COVID-19 on Friday.
“The death of the chief of staff is a huge loss, Governor AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his media spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.
“We mourn Mallam Abba. He will be sorely missed.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kwara State, we commiserate with Mr President, the Federal Executive Council, and the immediate and extended family of Mallam Abba.
“We pray Almighty Allah to grant him Al-jannah Firdaus.”
Kyari was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 23 after returning from an official trip to Germany.
Six days later, on March 29, he released a personal statement saying he was seeking personal treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos.
“We salute his contributions to the country, his avowed loyalty to the nation and the President, as well as his commitment to duty as a prominent member of Mr President’s administration,” the statement from the Kwara governor continued.
“This development reminds us once again to unite at this trying time to collectively work towards containing the rampaging threat to all of humanity by adhering to all safety measures.”
Kyari, who acted as gatekeeper to President Buhari, is the most high-profile victim of the disease in the country.
