The International Press Institute (IPI), said it received with shock and profound sadness, the news of the sudden death of Nigerian statesman, media icon, and IPI Patron, Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua.
Mr Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman, IPI Nigeria in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, said Isa’s colossal influence and contributions to national development had transversed the fields of public service, business, politics and the media.
Yusuf said the icon would be most remembered as the arrowhead of Nigeria’s successful hosting of the historic 2018 IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja.
“IPI mourns the departure of this patriot and international media figure. We commiserate with his family, the Government and People of Nigeria and the media community.
“We beseech the Almighty Allah to grant Malam Isma’ila Isa, Aljannah Firdaus.”
He added that Isa was a man of immense international stature and a life patron of IPI- the global network of editors, senior journalists and media executives, with a lifetime devotion to a free press.
He further said that the deceased led Nigerian delegation to IPI events outside Nigeria and as well an elected member of the IPI Executive Board and a major financier and sponsor of the Vienna- based global body.
The statement was co signed by Alhaji Wada Maida, Member, IPI Executive Board and Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, Secretary, IPI Nigeria.
