About now, the body of late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, is being interred after a brief funeral prayer.
A report monitored on Channels Television spoke of the body being conveyed to the Gudu District Cementry for burial.
Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, earlier announced the receipt of his body from Lagos, but added that there would be no condolence visits.
In a statement, he said, “We just received the body of Abba Kyari the deceased Chief of Staff the President in Abuja. In strict observation of the protocol put in place for the burial of Coronavirus victims by the @NCDCgov and the Federal Ministry of Health, the funeral prayer and burial will be private.
“Thereafter, there will be no such ceremonies as condolence visits. Well meaning friends, family members and the general public are encouraged to pray for the repose of Abba Kyari’s soul.
“May Allah grant the family and nation the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has described as shocking and sad the passing away of Kyari.
Gbajabiamila said it was unfortunate that Abba Kyari died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is now ravaging countries all over the world.
He said Kyari would be remembered for his selfless and dedicated service to Nigeria right from his days as a private citizen through the time he served as the Chief of Staff to the President.
In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said Nigeria has lost a patriot in the person of Kyari.
With Kyari’s and other Nigerians’ death as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, the country needs to do everything possible to avoid further spread of the disease, while taking care of those that tested positive so far, the Speaker said.
“I am particularly saddened and shocked at the demise of the Chief of Staff to the President. Here was a person who was highly patriotic and who showed the highest level of commitment and dedication to duty.
“Malam Abba Kyari would be remembered for his contributions to the development of the country at various stages of his life, including the last few years that he had served as the Chief of Staff to the President.
“I believe Kyari died while serving the country as he contracted the disease during his trip to Germany in March on a national assignment as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the intractable electricity problem in the country.
“This is indeed a great loss to Nigeria. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this trying time. I also want to extend my condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari for this loss.
“Death is inevitable for every human. The deaths of Malam Abba Kyari and other Nigerians at this time call for us all to rise as a nation and fight the COVID-19 pandemic in every possible way we can.
“Let’s all follow the guidelines set out by the authorities in preventing further spread of the virus. As leaders, we must also make conscious efforts at improving our healthcare system with a view to containing such pandemic.
“While we all grieve, let’s pray that the Almighty God will grant the Chief of Staff and other Nigerians that died as a result of this pandemic a good resting place,” the Speaker said.