16 Things to Know About Abba Kyari

On the 17th of April 2020, Nigeria lost the Former Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, Abba Kyari to COVID-19. Following his demise, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, alongside some other politicians and well-meaning Nigerians took to various social media platform to bid him farewell and send their condolence messages to his family while some others, even tho had little to no knowledge of him, quickly categorized him as part of the corrupt politicians ravaging the country and rejoiced over his death, wishing that the same circumstance befall other politicians.

Rosbena brings to light some facts about the late Chief of Staff which many Nigerians have no idea about. Read up!

(1) He Died in Line of Duty

On the 23rd of March, 2020, Kyari tested positive for the novel coronavirus, after which he flew to the country’s commercial hub, Lagos for medical attention on the 29th of March, 2020. After much struggle to combat the virus and restore his health, he died on the 17th of April 2020. The Former Chief Of Staff had contracted the virus during a one-week working visit to Germany from 7th March to 14th March 2020. He traveled alongside Saleh Mamman, the Minister of Power, where they met Siemens officials over a power deal signed with the company on the 22nd of July, 2019, towards improving electricity supply in the country.

Abba Kyari and Buhari
Abba Kyari and Buhari

(2) He Was Well Educated

The late former Chief Of Staff was highly educated. He attended St. Paul’s College, Wusasa, Zaria, a missionary secondary school outside Zaria city. In 1980 he obtained his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Warwick, England. He enrolled in the University of Cambridge in 1980 where he obtained a degree in law in 1983. He was called to the Nigerian bar in 1983. Kyari also attended the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 1992 and 1994, he participated in the Harvard Business School’s program for Leadership Development.

(3) He Was Monogamous

Unlike most of his fellow Muslim friends who have many wives, Abba Kyari had only one wife. He was married to Hajiya Kulu Kyari. His wife is the sister-in-law to Ibrahim Tahir.

(4) He Was the best man to the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama on his wedding day and he also played a role in securing the position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for him.

(5) He was the Executive Director, Management Services, United Bank for Africa Plc. (UBA) and rose to become the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Bank.

Abba Kyari
Abba Kyari

(6) He was Editor with the New Africa Holdings Limited Kaduna, (Publishers of Democrat Newspapers) between 1988 and 1990.

(7) At the end of Law school, he practiced law at the Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo Chambers.

(8) In 2002, He was appointed as the Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc.

(9) He was part of the board of directors of Exxon Mobil Nigeria

(10) He is survived for four children.

(11) Between 2000 and 2005, he was a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on investment in Nigeria.

(12) In 1990, he served with the Borno State Executive Council as Commissioner for Forestry and Animal Resources.

(13) Between 1990 and 1995, He was Secretary to the Board of African International Bank Limited.

(14) He was a recipient of the Nigerian National Honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)

(15) He was born on the 23rd of September, 1952, and hails from Borno state.

(16) He was also an NNPC board member

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