By our reporter| The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, on Monday, apologised to Nigerians for the violation of NCDC guidelines on social distancing at Saturday’s burial of Abba Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to the President Buhari, in Abuja.
The milling together for prayers and at the graveside of the Late COS to the President, sparked outrage among Nigerians as several guidelines put in place by the government to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic were violated.
The situation was made worse following the emergence of a video that showed one of the men who helped bury the SGF dumping his protective clothing in public.
Mustapha who tendered the apology during the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja, said it is regrettable that social distancing was not observed during the burial.
He said, “The PTF recognises, regrettably, the unintentional violation of the principles and protocols that form the core of our message to Nigerians at the funeral of the late chief of staff.”
“These principles, for emphasis, include the guidance provided on mass gatherings, social distancing, personal hygiene, and restriction of movement. Lessons have been learnt and appropriate measures have been taken to close all gaps.”
Mustapha while apologising for the violations at his funeral, however paid tribute to the late Kyari, saying, “He was fully committed to ensuring Nigeria responded effectively to the challenge of COVID-19 and pledged that the task force will remain focused to honour him and those who have lost their lives to the pandemic.
“We will always remember his robust efforts, his dedication, and unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to manage the impact of this pandemic,” he said.
Kyari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s COS, died on Friday after battling COVID-19 for more than two weeks.
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