The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), alongside Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have honoured Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua for his contributions to media development in the country.
Prince Nduka Obaigbena, President of the NPO and NPAN in a statement issued on behalf of the collective leadership of the Nigerian media said the newly rebuilt Nigerian Institute of Journalism House in Victoria Island, Lagos has been named ISMAILA ISA FUNTUA HOUSE.
“This is to honour the life and times of Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua who died on Monday July 20,2020 after a life of dedicated service to Nigeria that spanned politics, business and media”, Obaigbena said.
“His contributions to the development of journalism is innumerable: including, but not limited to his co-founding of Democrat Newspapers; presidency of the NPAN at a time of national crises, and later a life patron; services to the international Press Institute where he served on the global board; contributions to journalism education as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, ETC.
“Samaila Isa Funtua, 1942 -2020, will be deeply missed but not forgotten”, Obaigbena added.
Late Funtua was life patron of the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
Funtua, the founding Managing Director of Kaduna-based Democrat Newspaper died on Monday night at the age of 78.
The New Diplomat had reported Funtua suffered a massive heart-attack during a medical check up at an Abuja hospital leading to his death.
