Pat Stevens/
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “deep sadness” over the death of his close friend and in-law, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua.
Funtua, whose son married Buhari’s daughter, Safina, reportedly died yesterday evening. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
He was aged 77.
Funtua, an industrialist and Chairman, Bulet International Construction Company, was also a longtime political ally of the President and was regarded as a key member of the ‘Aso Rock cabal’, alongside the late former Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; and the President’s nephew, Mamman Daura.
A respected media entrepreneur, Funtua was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), as well as Chairman of the Governing Council of Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ).
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President condoled with the family and associates of the deceased, most especially the media industry.
He described the late Funtua as a “greatly admired and respected’’ personality.
The statement reads, “President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep sadness on Monday evening information on passing of his longtime friend and associate, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
“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 repose of Malam Funtua’s soul, and to grant the family strength and fortitude to bear the loss.”
Funtua hails from Katsina State like the President.
He served as the Minister of Water Resources in the defunct Second Republic during the administration of President Shehu Shagari.
In the 1990s he set up a newspaper known as ‘The Democrat’ which was edited by the late Abba Kyari.
He was a pioneer student of the Federal Training Centre, Kaduna. He trained as an administrative officer at the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and also as an administrator at the Manchester University in the UK.
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