Date: 2020-05-13

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, have congratulated Ibrahim Agboola Gambari on his appointment as Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Gambari, a renowned diplomat and former Minister of External Affairs was appointed on Wednesday by President Buhari as the CoS. He is replacing Abba Kyari who died of COVID-19 complications in April.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr. Boss Mustapha made the announcement of Gambari's appointment before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

Atiku in his congratulatory message posted on his official Twitter handle said he hopes that Gambari will deploy his varied skills in service to the nation.

"Congratulations Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR on your appointment as Chief of Staff to @MBuhari.

"It is my hope and expectation and those of millions of Nigerians that you will deploy your varied skills garnered over the years in the service of our nation. -AA"

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has also congratulated Gambari describing him as Gambari as a man of many parts whose vast wealth of knowledge and experience remain unrivaled.

He said as a thoroughbred scholar and seasoned career diplomat who had served in various capacities both at home and on the international scene particularly at the United Nations, Gambari's appointment was no doubt a round peg in a round hole.

"Just as the Late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari played a prominent role in the success of the Buhari's administration, your coming in to fill the vacuum will further add more colour to the administration’s achievements," Bello said.

According to the Governor, Gambari would bring his wealth of knowledge to bare in the discharge of his new responsibility as the Chief of Staff to the President and 'engine house' of the Presidency.