That Mallam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President died of complications from COVID-19 on April 17, is no longer news. What has continued to confound many is how the much vilified COS has turned a beautiful bride only after his demise.
From foremost wordsmiths to governors, from ministers to friends and even perceived foes, tributes to Abba Kyari have continued to be strewn in most flowery words. Many have waxed poetic and lyrical about his stoical disposition in the face of unwarranted attacks and malicious criticisms. Some have spoken glowingly about his exceptional work ethics, loyalty to his boss and his unflinching patriotism.
Interestingly, Mamman Daura, a nephew to President Muhammadu Buhari, is the latest to join the league of praise-singers of the Borno State born Kyari. Daura went down the memory lane and exhumed the story of how Kyari became one of those who helped revive the United Bank for Africa (UBA) from imminent distress some years ago, as Kyari would eventually become the bank’s chief executive.
“When Mr. Hakeem Belo-Osagie assembled a team of investors and managers to help revive the collapsing UBA, Malam Abba was persuaded to join the group and after weeks of diligence the group acquired UBA and Malam Abba joined the bank as a Senior executive,” Daura wrote.
“Needless to relate, he eventually became the bank’s chief executive and on retirement was persuaded to remain as non-executive vice-chairman.”
As CEO of UBA, he observed remarkably clear and simple principles of leadership. He brought clarity of purpose to his work; he was a good listener who comes to the table not with some preset notion of distrust but an open mind; he asked all the tough questions and tried to find the solutions.
Given that product design, marketing and complex management are no doubt the trifecta of success in commercial banking, he exceled at it all in a rare feat, much like scoring a television goal in soccer, time and over again.
His process was simple: Abba had built a career on combining daring, dexterous and largely inspirational initiatives with diligent application that incorporates everything from snatches of dependable formulae to the most improbable exploits. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he viewed success not only in financial terms but artistic terms, and his enterprise style.
Many have continued to wonder why these eulogies and sterling appraisals took long in coming after Kyari has bade the world an eternal farewell.
However, nobody ever makes a lovely corpse but when he was alive, Kyari characterized the essence of loveliness and more. Sadly, nothing lasts forever; as the seasons turn, so does human life wither to age and disease, everything vanishes like morning dew. Yes, were an outpouring of eulogies and tears potent enough to rouse a dead man, he would have reconsidered spending a few more hours for a brief parting repartee before plunging into his eternal sleep.
