ABUJA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday paid tribute to his chief of staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, who died on Friday from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Mallam Abba Kyari was the very best of us. He was made of the stuff that makes Nigeria great," Buhari said while mourning the top presidential aide.
Kyari, 67, who had had underlying health conditions, "was a true Nigerian patriot," the president said.
He was notably one of the closest allies of Buhari.
"My loyal friend and compatriot for the last 42 years -- and latterly my Chief-of-Staff -- he never wavered in his commitment to the betterment of every one of us," said Buhari.
Kyari's passing marked the first high-profile death since the novel coronavirus hit the West African country.
Buhari recalled the time he first met Kyari when in his 20s. While possessing the sharpest legal and organizational mind, Kyari's true focus was always on the development of infrastructure and the assurance of security for Nigerians.
"For he knew that without both in tandem there can never be the development of the respectful society and vibrant economy that all Nigerian citizens deserve," the president said of the man who was a lawyer, a former newspaper editor, a former bank executive, and public administrator at various times in his life.
Buhari on Saturday received several messages of condolences from foreign and national leaders, following the death of his top aide, according to a presidency statement.
Kyari became Buhari's chief of staff in 2015 and strove quietly and without any interest in publicity or personal gain to implement the president's agenda.
The top presidential aide tested positive for the coronavirus after he returned from an official trip to Germany in March.
On March 29, he personally confirmed this in a statement, saying he was on his way to a health facility in the country's commercial hub, Lagos, for treatment.
In the same statement, Kyari said he felt well and was asymptomatic.
He was buried at a cemetery in Abuja on Saturday.
