The immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari, on the death of his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.

The ex-Governor also commiserated with the family and friends of the late Chief of Staff to the President and the Borno State Governor on his death in a statement by his Media Advisor, Mr Fidelis Soriwei on Saturday.

Honourable Dickson added that Kyari died in active service to the President and the country.

He called on Nigerians to be patriotic in unity irrespective of political affiliations in the fight against the Coronavirus which he described as “one of the most serious challenges facing mankind and human civilization in recent time.”

He said: “In times like this, we are reminded of our common humanity, and mortality and people should not play politics with issues of death.

“Corona virus is the greatest threat to our civilization and existence now. We should all support the steps that the President and the state governors have taken. This is a very serious challenge to our lives, the existence of humanity and our civilization.”

He stressed that the unfortunate death of Kyari and indeed several others within and outside the country were a grim reminder of the grave threat posed by the COVID-19 virus to mankind which should be tackled with concerted action.

He lamented that the fight against the virus had created temporary inconveniences which should be endured in view of the seriousness of the challenge.

He prayed to God to give the President, the Kyari family, the Borno Government and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.