“The death of Abba Kyari has driven the danger of this disease. It is a wake-up call for all Nigerians to rise up to fight the pandemic and obey government directives to contain its spread,” the council said.

President Muhammadu Buhari's chief of staff, Abba Kyari, died of COVID-19 on Friday, April 17, after battling with the virus for weeks.

The late chief of staff's last official statement to Nigerians was on Sunday, March 29, when he wrote a message formally informing Nigerians of his COVID-19 status and his decision to receive treatment in a private hospital.

His remains have been buried in Abuja on Saturday, April 18, amid tears from his loved ones and tributes from prominent Nigerians.

Below is the full text of Mr Kyari’s last statement.

"I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation. This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the protocols government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.

I have made my own care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system, which faces so many pressures. Like many others that will test also positive, I have not experienced high fever or other symptoms associated with this new virus and have been working from home. I hope to be back at my desk very soon. I have a team of young, professional, knowledgeable and patriotic colleagues, whose dedication has been beyond the call of duty, who continue to work seven days a week, with no time of the day spared. We will continue to serve the President and people of Nigeria, as we have for the past five years.

"I want to thank all our fantastic, talented and brave healthcare professionals, working across the country in such a difficult time; all the good Samaritans looking out for the most vulnerable in our communities; the key workers that will keep our country going through this; friends and family and often strangers, who have sent me such warm wishes and displayed such a generosity of spirit.

"We should be calm, measured and diligent – be meticulous in your hygiene, especially with cleaning hands, if possible stay at home or keep your distance. Listen to good advice from the proper authorities: pay no heed to quack cures or fake news from social media. President Buhari will do whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of our people and get the country back on its feet as soon as possible.

"Like the whole world, we are dealing with a new disease. Our experts are learning more all the time about coronavirus, what it does and how we can combat it. What we do know is that while some may become very sick, many others who contract the virus will not, and may have no symptoms at all. This is a disease that recognises no difference between north and south, men or women, rich or poor. We are all in this together."

Sincerely

Abba Kyari

Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, had reacted to Kyari's death.

Keyamo disclosed on Twitter that he had a discussion with Mallam Abba Kyari on Tuesday, March 24, before the death of the politician.

According to the minister, during the discussion, the late chief of staff told him that his health was fine and that he (Kyari) would faithfully take the treatments.