Osinbajo, Ministers Self-Isolate As Kyari, Mohammed Test Positive……..His Engagements In 10 Days

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, many governors, ministers and other top government functionaries mingled with Malam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the president shortly before he tested positive to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Kyari, who returned to Nigeria from Germany on March 14, had participated in several state functions and unofficial engagements that attracted prominent personalities.

It was gathered that yesterday’s confirmation that Kyari tested positive to COVID-19 necessitated the subsequent test on President Muhammadu Buhari, which turned out to be negative.

Similarly, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who also tested positive to the COVID-19, had also visited Germany not long ago and on his return, he had attended many functions in Bauchi, Abuja, and Lagos, where he reportedly mingled with other governors, key government functionaries, among others.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the best way to contain COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus, which is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person; and between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

Kyari and Bala Mohammed had earlier reportedly gone into self-isolation, but credible sources said it was too late at the time they took the decision, considering that they already had direct contacts with prominent personalities.

While Bala Mohammed is reportedly on self-isolation in Bauchi, it was not clear yesterday where Kyari is being attended to.

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, yesterday went round the Presidential Villa.

They checked the office of Kyari among others before leaving; and when asked to explain their mission, the SGF said “You will be briefed later.”

Other members of the committee during the visit were the National Coordinator for the fight against COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, ministers of health, interior, aviation, humanitarian affairs, education, information and environment. Also, on the visit were the DG DSS, DG Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and World Health Organization Country Representative.

What Kyari did in the last 10 days
Shortly on his arrival on March 14, Kyari attended the wedding of the son of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Adamu.

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote were among top dignitaries that graced the wedding.

At the meeting of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) with President Buhari on March 16, Kyari was also there and group photographs were taken.

The meeting was attended by 16 out of the 20 governors of the ruling party, including Babagana Zulum (Borno), Babajide Sanwo Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Sani (Niger) and Simon Lalong (Plateau). Others were Rotimi Akeredolu ( Ondo), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Hope Uzodinma(Imo) and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe).

Before the NEC meeting, Kyari had an encounter with the embattled National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

On Tuesday, March 17, the chief of staff led a delegation to the Bello family compound in Okene to commiserate with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State over the death of his mother, Hajiya Hauwa’u Ozoho.

Members of the President’s delegation included the Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani; Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubair Dada and the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.

The same day, he attended a briefing session by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) led by Professor Doyin Salami and took pictures with them.

The PEAC chaired by Prof. Salami is made up of Dr. Mohammed Sagagi, who is the vice chairman, Prof. Ode Ojowu, Dr. Shehu Yahaya, Dr. Iyabo Masha, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Dr. Bismarck Rewane and Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu.

President Buhari’s chief of staff was also in attendance at last week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on March 18. Inside the council’s chambers, his seat was not far from that of Boss Mustapha and Osinbajo.

On Thursday, March 19, Kyari attended the inauguration of the National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC) chaired by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and also took some photographs.

Members of the committee co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.) are the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, ministers of defence, interior, justice; and minister of state budget and planning; Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector General of Police, as well as governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Also on the committee are the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Permanent Secretary, FMHADMSD (Secretariat), Chairman, Non-Governmental Organization Forum, among others.

Kyari was sighted after Juma’at prayers on Friday, March 20, but was not seen at the Presidential Villa from Monday.

He is reportedly on self-isolation at his residence at the Defence House, Maitama, but sources said he might be moved to another facility for extensive medical care.