Nigerians have continued to express divergent opinions following the emotional tribute written by the family of Abba Kyari in honour of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari at his first memorial.
Kyari, the former Chief of Staff to President Buhari, contracted COVID-19 while on an official assignment in Germany last year.
He stayed on a prolonged course of treatment but eventually died from complications of the virus on April 17, 2020.
The memorial tribute, which was put together by Kyari’s children – Kulu, Aisha, Nurudeen, Ibrahim and Zainab – was posted on the verified Twitter account of Malam Bashir Ahmed, Personal Assistant to the President on New Media.
Titled “The most wonderful and irreplaceable husband and father,” the message exalted the virtue of the late chief of staff and chronicled how the family found it extremely hard replacing the void his absence left.
The statement read, “It has been impossible to find the words to express what losing you has meant to us in the past year. The words simply do not exist. You were everything before death dealt us its discourteous blow. Today, the pain remains the same, the wound still raw.
“We miss your unconditional love, unflinching support and your unwavering dedication to your family. We know that ‘every soul shall taste death’ and you have only gone to be with your maker. Still, we miss you terribly every second of the day,” it stated.
The tribute also expressed the pains of loneliness without a fatherly figure like Kyari in the last one year and how the family has come to appreciate what he truly represented.
“This last year has made us even more appreciative of the time we had together. We never took it for granted but it had come to mean so much more now that we haven’t had you here with us for what feels like an eternity.
“We talk about you every day. The void that you have left in our lives is as immeasurable as it is unfillable. Having you as a husband and father was the greatest gift of our lives.
“You are remembered for your patriotism but above that, you are remembered as husband, father, loyal friend and a phenomenon person. We miss you deeply. We continue to pray that the Almighty Allah has mercy on your soul, forgive all your sins and grants you Al Jannah Firdaus. Until we meet in Al Jannah Insha Allah.
“O Allah, forgive our daddy and elevate his station among those who are guided. Send him along the path of those who came before and forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds. Enlarge for him his grave and shed light upon him,” the statement read.
Expectedly, the tribute generated divergent opinions from Nigerians on the social media platform.
A tweep, Arinola Ifeoma Awokoya, disclosed that he was touched by the tribute and equally prayed for the family.
“May God abide with the family he left behind. Amen” she said.
Another netizen, @D_conformist described Kyari as a great man and wondered why the Nigerian media still despise him to date.
Rest in peace, May firdaus be his final abode. Amen, He was a great, humble & honorable man. I have no idea why the media dislike this man up to this day
— 弥助🔻 (@D_conformist) April 17, 2021
However, a certain Smith Gbenga Lawson has a different view.
“I know, even if the Devil dies in Nigeria …people will still tell him REST IN PEACE. Deception!” he posted.
On her part, @DAfirstQUEEN called the late chief of staff ‘One time president of the country”
@daBazueze believed that Kyari could have made a world of difference other than the path he chose.
He had the opportunity to make a difference, but he didn’t. Nigeria is worst then he met it. RIP to the dead 💀 but he left no legacy.
— U.C Ugorji Esq.🇳🇬 Psy.🇦🇺 (@Bazueze) April 17, 2021
Another follower on the thread, Ebhohimen Michael toed the line of the latter, alleging that an aide of late Kyari almost exposed home to the virus in Munich.
Memory of what? If not for grace and God on our sides, his Personal Assistance (PA) would have infected us where they usually come to get their dinners every night in Munchen
— Ebhohimen Michael (@EbhohimenMicha1) April 17, 2021
Idongesit Umoh, however, channeled his anger towards Bashir Ahmad whom he believed was a major beneficiary under Kyari.
“I’m sure it was this man that gave you this cheap, meaningless job,” she said.
@Iceugwa also expressed shock that another 365 days had passed already.
“1 year!!! so soon? Rest on Mallam Abba Kyari” she tweeted.
A certain @iam_Ginnyicy01 opined that Buhari’s late advisor left the country worse than he met it.
“Na only him kinds go miss am, abbah was never a good man. He had opportunity to mk Nigeria better than he met it, rather he made it worst and left, no good legacy,” he stated.
But to Mohammed Bukar, the nation has lost leader.
“We miss a great man, in Nigeria,” he said.
