Abba Kyari was a humble and kind man -Former NAN Editor-in-Chief

As the nation mourns Mallam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Shehu Abui, his colleague in the New Nigerian Newspapers, has described him as “a humble and kind man who showed love to everyone around him”.

“I knew him when we were both senior reporters of the New Nigerian Newspapers under the editorship of Alhaji Mamman Daura.

“He was a humble person and did not show any discrimination on the basis of religion or tribe.

“He was a very close friend to me and had respect f0r everybody, including his juniors,” Abui, former Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), told NAN in a telephone interview.

Abui said he was particularly impressed that Kyari maintained his positive traits in spite of the high offices he occupied later in life.

“Long after we both left the New Nigerian and Kyari rose to various positions, each time we met, he was always sure to maintain the same camaraderie; he would recall the past days, how we started together and make one feel at home.

“I recall meeting him in Lagos where he was a top official at the UBA. Immediately he saw me, he embraced me and took me round to other senior colleagues. He later gave a standing instruction that I be allowed to see him any time I showed up.

“Even as Chief of Staff, he showed immense respect and affection to former colleagues each time they met him.

“We feel very sad about his death, but God has the final say in the lives of His Creatures. May He grant Abba Kyari eternal rest,” Abui said.

Recall Kyari died on Friday and was buried on Saturday in Abuja. (NAN)