Nigerian President's Chief of Staff dies from coronavirus

KOLA SULAIMON / AFP

The Nigerian president's Chief of Staff Abba Kyari has died from COVID-19, according to a statement released by the presidency.

Kyari is the most high profile person in the country to die in the coronavirus outbreak.

His age was not officially disclosed, although two presidency aides said he was 70.

Several family members were pictured praying as an ambulance carrying his body passed by in Abuja on Saturday. 

Kyari assisted 77-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari after his re-election last year.

Buhari had ordered ministers to channel all communications through him.

Nigeria has 493 confirmed cases and 17 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

 

More from International

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • Motor Mania

    10:00am - Noon

  • The Best of Dubai Eye 103.8

    Noon - 7:00pm

    Hear the highlights from the week gone by on Dubai Eye 103.8. Listen again to the best interviews, advice and the top stories that has gripped our conversation this week.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Flying Taxis

    It sounds like an episode of The Jetsons, but the sight of flying taxis whizzing around our cities could be much closer than you think.

  • Tough penalties for deliberate tax evasion

    The UAE has said that tougher penalties will come into force from 1st August for not keeping proper corporate tax records.