The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II on Saturday described the death of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari as an unfortunate surprise and a shock.
Following the confirmation, Ooni disclosed that he called Kyari’s wife and children to pray for them.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs in the palace, Comrade Moses Olafare.
Ooni described Kyari as a cool-headed fine gentleman and great respecter of traditional institutions who had until his death handled his position as a public servant with dignity and dedication.
The statement reads: “The House of Oduduwa under the leadership of the Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife has received news of the death of Alhaji Abba Kyari with a rude shock, and he sees it as a very unfortunate surprise.
“Late Abba Kyari was a detribalized Nigerian and cool-headed fine gentleman who had treated traditional institutions with love and respect and who had until his death undoubtedly dignified public service as Chief of Staff with dignity and dedication motivated by his fervent belief in and incorruptible patriotism to the Nigerian project.
“Kabiyesi Ooni immediately after the news was confirmed, made a phone communication to the wife and children of the late Chief of Staff in which he prayed for the gentle soul of the deceased and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss.”
