By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Uche Ekwunife, has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the demise of his Chief of Staff (CoS), Mallam Abba Kyari.

She described his death as a great loss to Nigeria, saying that late Kyari before his death dedicated his life to hard work and sincerity of purpose.

Ekwunife, who spoke in an interview in Awka, said: “Although I did not have close relationship with the late Kyari, it is a difficult experience to loss a trusted head.

“I wish to convey my condolences first, to Mr President, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I also commiserate with Alhaji Abba Kyari’s family, his wife, children and close relatives and all the people that worked with him when he was alive.

“He was a great technocrat, an astute administrator, a very hardworking man. Those that worked with Kyari described him as a straightforward human being.

“As a nation, we lost a technocrat, we lost someone who worked hard to put the country together.”

Ekwunife regretted that the late CoS died at a time Nigeria is passing through a global pandemic, adding that his wealth of experience is needed to bring the country together.

The Senator observed that Kyari’s death from the COVID-19 pandemic has unerlined the need to improve the nation’s economy, especially the health sector.

“We can see now that health is very important to the development of any nation.

“Look at Germany that is always investing in health also found it difficult to come to terms with what is happening in the country, likewise America.

“So, the time of health tourism in other countries is gone. We have no choice than to invest in our health facilities, build first class hospitals and equip them,” she stated.

While noting that the country was blessed with good researchers and scientists who lacked support and funding to bring out their innovations, Ekwunife called for funding of the Ministry of Science and Technology as well as other relevant ministries to boost the nation’s science, technology and innovation sectors.

“America is already working hard to come out with COVID-19 vaccines by early next year. We have technocrats and researchers in this country that can as well do that,” she said.