Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), on Friday described the late Abba Kyari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, as a noble gentleman who contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria.
Speaking in a chat with INDEPENDENT, Sagay said it is unfortunate that many Nigerians spoke in negative terms about the late Kyari while alive and in death without knowing the kind of man he really was.
According to him, the testimonies by Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, has painted a vivid picture of who Abba Kyari was even though he was misjudged by many people who knew little or nothing about him.
“I didn’t know him very well but I always hear of his dedication to duty and his single-mindedness in pursuit of his duties. Since the very sad and tragic passing away of Mallam Abba Kyari, I have now come to know him more based on the comments and accounts of those who really knew him.
“If I may mention two, one by Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; it was very touching and even more surprisingly and more dramatic is that of the tribute by Femi Fani-Kayode, who normally is a very vigorous opponent of this government, yet he went on to give a very fantastic testimony of the man.”
Speaking further, Sagay said many Nigerians who want to serve the country may refrain from doing so given the manner Nigerians condemn people who made selfless sacrifices for the country like the late Abba Kyari.
“So, it has really opened my eyes to who the late Kyari was and it makes me really reflect whether Nigerians just like to jump to conclusion without knowing what they are talking about. There was so much bile and hatred against him when he was alive, which rather sadly has continued with some people even after his death”.
“I have been asking myself whether it is worth the while to serve Nigeria because of the gross ingratitude and foul mouth tendencies of Nigerians who don’t speak on facts but on assumptions, sentiments and what they don’t know about.
“They told a lot of lies about the man while he was alive but as it turns out, he was a man of sterling qualities who had been serving this country with all he got, making sacrifices without looking back.
“He was just quiet because he wasn’t looking for praise from anybody. He only wanted posterity to be his judge. We have lost a very noble gentleman who was a major contributor to the development of this country,” he said.
