Buhari Mourns Close Political Associate, Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua

-President Muhmmadu Buhari mourns the shocking death of Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua.

-Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua died on Monday evening from cardiac arrest.

– Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua political history

President Muhmmadu Buhari mourns the shocking death of one of his close ally, and political associate, Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who died on Monday evening from cardiac arrest.

Confirming President Buhari’s reaction towards the news of Funtua’s demise, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement said President Muhammadu Buhari received the news with deep sadness considering the connection he shared with the deceased.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep sadness on Monday evening information on the 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 the repose of Malam Funtua’s soul, and to grant the family strength and fortitude to bear the loss”, the statement said.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua is Dead

Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua was born in Funtua, Funtua council area of present-day Katsina State in 1942. He attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the University of Manchester, and was a member of the 9th Senior Executive Course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.

He served as a Federal Minister of Water Resources in the Second Republic and was a member of the 1994 Constitutional Conference organized by the Sani Abacha military junta.

Mallam Funtua was a member of the affable Kaduna Mafia, a clique, influencing the northern elite with a professional and commercial background.

He founded many businesses, including Democrat Newspaper and Funtua Textiles Limited.