PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, and the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) have described the death of Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, as painful and a great loss.
The President in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday expressed sadness over the death of Funtua whom he described as an associate.
According to the statement, “President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep sadness on Monday evening information on the passing of his long-time friend and associate, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria.
Buhari and Funtua
“The President condoles with family members, government and people of Katsina State, and all associates of the former President of NPAN, especially the media industry, on the loss, describing him as ‘greatly admired and respected.’
“President Buhari believes the demise of the publisher and businessman has created a huge gap as Malam Funtua consistently stood by him in his political journey.
“The President prayed to Allah for the repose of Malam Funtua’s soul, and to grant the family strength and fortitude to bear the loss.”
Also, the Chairman, Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, said, “This is a great loss to his family, the Northern Region and the entire nation considering his immense contributions to national development.
“He is one person that has built bridges among people of different ethnic, religious and political persuasions and also encouraged unity, peace and tolerance.”
He commiserated with Funtua family, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the nation.
Funtua, founding Managing Director of The Democrat Newspaper and former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, died of cardiac arrest on Monday night.
He was aged 76 and was in the news early this year when he decried attempts to put him among those aspiring to vacuum created by the demise of Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff to Mr President.
Funtua was quoted to have said, “I heard people mentioning my name to replace Abba Kyari but I take the story as an insult instead.
“I have once worked with the government in the ’80s, worked with white men and also was once a Minister of the Federal republic.
“For someone to mention my name for that position is an insult especially for a man who served as a minister nearly 40 years ago and out of government.”
