President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, expressed deep sadness over the death of his longtime friend and political associate, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua.
The President noted that his painful demise had created a huge gap, having stood consistently by him throughout his political journey.
Funtua, the founding Managing Director of the Democrat Newspaper, passed on at the age of 78, in Abuja, on Monday.
A statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said, “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 the Life Patron of the 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.”
