By Gideon Njoku
Speculate no more. From the horse’s mouth comes these confirmations.
Abba Kyari, the powerful Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, finally hit the nail on the head. He is positive for Coronavirus.
He is in Abuja, Nigeria, and has not been flown out of the country as was being speculated. And, as you read this, the 80 year old Kyari is now in Lagos. What is not.known, however, is how he was evacuated to Lagos from Abuja on Sunday, considering that domestic flights had been suspended, and all airports, closed.
In a statement he personally signed, dated March 29, he said he was moving to Lagos to continue with his treatment on the advice of his doctors.
He, also, made it clear that he made his own private arrangements for his treatment, so as not to over-burden government facilities. Meaning that he is in a private facility.
He said he would be back at his desk, soon, to continue his service to the President and Nigeria. Acknowledging that he has young professionals working with him, Kyari paid tribute to Healthcare personnel, and assured Nigerians that they were in good hands with President Buhari.
Following, excerpts from his statement.
“I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos today for additional tests and observation. This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for Coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the protocols the government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.
“I have made my own care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system which faces so much pressures. Like many others that will, also, test positive, I have not experienced high fever, or other symptoms associated with this new virus, and have been working from home. I hope to be back at my desk very soon.
“I have a team of young, professional, knowledgeable, and patriotic colleagues whose dedication has been beyond the call of duty, who continue to work seven days a week, with no time of the day spared. We will continue to serve the President and people of Nigeria as we have done for the past five years.
” I want to thank all our fantastic healthcare professionals working across the country in such a difficult time; all the good Samaritans looking out for the most vulnerable in our communities; the key workers that will keep our country going through all this.
“President Buhari will do whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of our people, and get the country back on its feet as soon as possible.
“Like the whole world, we are dealing with a new disease. Our experts are learning more all the time about Coronavirus, what it does, and how we can combat it. What we do know is that while some can become very sick, many others who may contract the Virus, will not, and may have no symptoms, at all”.
Kyari has been criticised for not self-isolating on his return from German, a country of burden, but instead, attended meetings in the villa, and also, led a Federal Government delegation to Lokoja to condole with the Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, who lost his mother.
Not a few people hold him responsible for the panic in the Villa over the Virus. It is being speculated that four of his aides have, also, tested positive for Coronavirus.
It is instructive that Kyari made his status and whereabouts public, the very day President Buhari chose to address the Nation since the outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19.
