The chief of staff to the president, Mr. Abba Kyari who returned to Nigeria on March 14 after visits to Germany and the UK was yesterday confirmed COVID-19 positive.
Kyari had travelled to Germany with the minister of power, Mr. Salem Mammah, to attend a meeting with the officials of Siemens to discuss issues bordering on improving the power sector in Nigeria.
Germany was reported to have recorded over 29,000 cases of coronavirus infections with 123 deaths and it is believed that the chief of staff may have contacted the disease from that country.
While the delegation returned to the country on March 14, it was learnt that Kyari failed to abide by the directives of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which recommended a 14-day self-isolation for anyone returning from any high-risk COVID-19 country.
Since his return, Kyari, who is seen as the engine room of the presidency due to the enormous power he wields in the government, took active part in several state functions and unofficial engagements that attracted prominent personalities.
In the course of his interaction, he met with the president, vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, many governors, ministers and other top government functionaries before the result of his COVID-19 status was made public.
Shortly on his arrival on March 14, Kyari attended the wedding of the son of the inspector general of police, Muhammad Adamu. The governor of Kano State, Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje and the chairman of Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote were among top dignitaries at the event.
At the meeting of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) with President Buhari on March 16, Kyari was also there and group photographs were taken. The meeting was attended by 16 out of the 20 governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Babagana Zulum (Borno), Babajide Sanwo Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Sani (Niger) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).
Others were Rotimi Akeredolu ( Ondo), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Hope Uzodinma(Imo) and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe).
Before the NEC meeting, Kyari had an encounter with the national chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.
On Tuesday, March 17, the chief of staff led a delegation to the Bello family compound in Okene to commiserate with the governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello on the death of his mother, Hajiya Hauwa’u Ozoho.
Members of the president’s delegation included the minister of special duties, Mr. George Akume; minister of information and culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed; minister of state, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani; minister of state, foreign affairs, Mr. Zubair Dada and the senior special assistant to the president, media and publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu.
On the same day, Kyari attended a briefing session by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) led by Professor Doyin Salami and took pictures with them. The PEAC chaired by Prof. Salami is made up of Dr. Mohammed Sagagi, who is the vice chairman, Prof. Ode Ojowu, Dr. Shehu Yahaya, Dr. Iyabo Masha, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Dr. Bismarck Rewane and Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu.
The chief of staff was also in attendance at the March 18 federal executive council (FEC) meeting.
Inside the council’s chambers, his seat was not far from that of Boss Mustapha and Osinbajo.
On Thursday, March 19, Kyari attended the inauguration of the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC) chaired by the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Ms Sadiya Umar Farouq and also took some photographs. Members of the committee co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.) are the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, ministers of defence, interior, justice and minister of state budget and planning; Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector General of Police, as well as governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
Also on the committee are the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Permanent Secretary, FMHADMSD (Secretariat), Chairman, Non-Governmental Organization Forum, among others.
Kyari was also sighted after Juma’at prayers on Friday, March 20, but was not seen at the Presidential Villa from Monday.
He is reportedly on self-isolation at his residence at the Defence House, Maitama, but sources said he might be moved to another facility for extensive medical care.
With Daily Trust report
