Abba Kyari: Presidency Directs Correspondents To Stay Off Aso Rock Until Further Notice

Matthew Ogune, Abuja

The Presidency on Sunday directed all State House Correspondents and the Media Office staff who attended and covered the funeral prayer and burial of the late Chief of Staff, at Defence House and Gudu Cemetery Abuja, respectively, to stay off the Presidential Villa.

Kyari died of Coronavirus on Friday at the First Cardiology Consultants in Lagos. His corpse was flown to Abuja where he was interred at a short ceremony attended by tens of people.

Eyewitnesses accounts, video clips and pictures from the burial site showed that many who were in attendance were not properly kitted to attend such a ceremony.

One of the officials that carried out the burial was also seen in a viral video disposing of his personal protective equipment (PPE) near the scene of the burial without taking proper precautions.

The presidential order on social distance was also clearly violated.

Consequently, a statement signed by Attah Esa, a Deputy Director of Information, on Sunday directed the newsmen to work from home for the next 14 days.

The Presidency further enjoined the newsmen to be careful and observe the recommended measures to prevent the Coronavirus transmission, including maintaining physical distancing and good personal hygiene going forward.

The Presidency had in the wake of the outbrake of the coronavirus in Abuja, scaled down the number of media organizations permitted to cover it’s activities following the devastating effect of the pandemic.

A statement had announced that the Presidency will allow only NTA crew, Channels TV crew, TVC crew, FRCN reporter, VON reporter, NAN reporter, The Sun Reporter, and Photographers from the stables of Thisday, Leadership, Daily Trust, The Guardian, Vanguard and Deutsche Welle (a foreign medium) into the previnct of the Villa.

“These correspondents are to enter the Villa for media coverage of any event beginning from Wednesday, March 25, 2020 until further notice as the Covid-19 incidence will dictate.”

The decision, according to officials, is to reduce the number of persons who daily visit the Presidential Villa, Abuja to carry out sundry activities.

The enforcement, according to the officials, was in compliance with the Federal Government’s stay-at-home order to avoid mass congregation of any kind as well as non-essential outings, until further advice is given.

The statement read, “In view of the current restriction in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against gathering of not more than 50 persons at the same time at any venue, as well as to be able to maintain social distancing following the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, it has become imperative to drastically review down the presence of the over 100 State House Correspondents who usually rendezvous in the Press Briefing Room in the Presidential Villa during this period since all other departments have scaled down the presence of their staff.

“During this interim arrangement, we advise those who are not represented in the above list to liaise with those listed for necessary information/news as well as the Information Officers in the President’s Media Office.

“We plead for your understanding and cooperation as the Security Department enforces the restriction measure during this trying period.”