President Buhari appoints new Chief of Staff

Barely two days after Abba Kyari died of coronavirus COVID-19, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe as Chief of Staff to replace Kyari.

Onyxnews Nigeria reported that the former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari died on Friday, April 18, and buried according to Islamic rite on Saturday.

The late 67-year-old lawyer, businessman and politician served President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 till his death on Friday.

This reliable online news understands that Kingibe has served the nation in different capacities as a diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1995, Minister of Internal Affairs from 1995 to 1997, Minister of Power and Steel from 1997 to 1998; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation from 2007 to 2008.

Onyxnews Nigeria recall that Abba Kyari was a Nigerian politician who served as Chief of Staff to President Buhari.

His early life and education

Kyari was from Kanuri in Borno State, not much is known about his early life. In 1980, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Warwick, and also received a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Cambridge.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983 after attending the Nigerian Law School. In 1984, he obtained a master’s degree in law from the University of Cambridge.

Then between 1992-1994, Abba Kyari later attended the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland and participated in the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School.

Professional career

Kyari worked for the law firm with Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo for some time after his return to Nigeria. From 1988 to 1990, he was Editor with the New Africa Holdings Limited Kaduna.

In 1990, he served as a Commissioner for Forestry and Animal Resources in Borno State. From 1990 to 1995, Kyari was the secretary to the board of African International Bank Limited, a subsidiary of Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

Kyari was an executive director in charge of management services at the United Bank for Africa, and was later appointed the chief executive officer. In 2002, he was appointed a board director of Unilever Nigeria, and later served on the board of Exxon Mobil Nigeria.

Political career
In August 2015, Kyari was appointed Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Power politics
Kyari was an influential figure within the Buhari administration.[11] During the administration’s first term, he worked mainly behind the scenes to implement the president’s agenda.

Family
Kyari was married to the sister-in-law of Ibrahim Tahir, and had four children.

Health
On March 23, 2020, this reliable online news platform reported that Kyari contracted the pandemic virus after an official trip to Germany.

He also had underlying diabetes which he was always treating.