Nigeria has registered yet another deficit in the range of cumulative sources that engineered its socio-economic growths amongst the comity of Nations today.This followed the death of Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, an erudite Administrator, astitute Politician, Journalist and captain of industry. His death occurred on July 20th, and was interred at the Abuja Cemetery according to his faith.
A life patron of the International Press Institute IPI, Mallam Isa Funtua was a role model,that curved a niche in the tasks to overhaul Journalism practices, and rid of the perennialthreats, facing the profession across the globe.
The Managing Director, Democrat Newspapers, Kaduna, said the Tabloid was established to check the shrewish manners,of certain powers across Africa and the world, that viewed the operations of the Press with dogma, snobbery and neglect.
He further said, at the orientation discourse, that as the brains behind the floating of the Medium, their objectives were to achieve the target manifest for the benefits of Africans and the world over.We have particularly, saw the necessity to re-awaken Nigerians, to rise up to their sense of social responsibilities and reaffirm the value-chains of democratic governance, that entrenched the freedom of expressions as the mode of operations at all levels.
Of the brains, he said, were two ‘Super’ Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Philips Asiodu and Alhaji Ahmad Joda, a Lagos – based Business guru Mallam Maisango Bauchi, Alhaji Shehu Malami Sarkin Sudan and Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua. Mallam Adamu Ciroma Dallatun Fika, was the arrow-head that accorded the team the necessary Professional counsel. The late M.D. implored on the staffs to upheld the sacrifice from these Elder statesmen who ascribed ‘UNITY’ as the hallmark of the Nation’s Progress and the apt Editorial Policy derive of the Democratic Newspapers.
I vividly remembered my insipient view of Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, being screened by the Rt. Hon. Jeseph Wayas led Senate Chambers for Ministerial appointment in late 1983. Worthy to note that my erstwhile MD has attained the status to aspire for the highest office in the country, talk less of his confirmation by the Senate to occupy the position of a Minister of the Federation.
It never clicked into my conscience that, I would one day come into contact with Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua in person, after the televised screening exercises. As divinely ordained, the moments came, when I faced a tripartite interview panel in October, 1987. The trio of Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua and Gausu Ahmad recruited me into the pioneering staffs of the now rested Democrat Newspapers, Kaduna.
From then-on Mallam Isa Funtua became our Chief Administrative officer – cum – life saving MD that took to expel our despairs with dispatch. I had a dried pocket that housed my fares back to Unguwar Sarki from our head office at Kakuri, one rainy afternoon. How strangely it seemed? Mallam Isa called me at his office and placed four hundred Naira in my cash strickened palms. And the sum covered about fifty percent of my monthly premium. He was so indiscriminate to his personnel in this gesture, as well as when he visited Funtua and Katsina, the seat of the State Government created in 1987.
Isa’s high rating generosity was likened to his foundation of a conglomerate Company,the BULLET INTERNATIONAL that hitherto contributed, to minimize cases of unemployment in the country. He cherished entrepreneurship and industrial harmony to wit, and worked to rekindle the prowess of cotton farmers and rejuvenate the ailing Textiles Mills at Funtua.
A globe trotter, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, had stepped into many countries across the continents and moved-on in trust with several friends and acquaintances. I used to respond to their numerous calls while operating in the newsroom as Night Editor and obliged his residential telephone lines at their request. I was never warned against that risky actions by my amiable MD. This had fully indicated how humble, affectionate and caring, Mallam Isa Funtua was, to all manners of people under every circumstance.
He was the factor that made the then Military Administrator of Sokoto State, Col. Ahmad M. Daku retd, to shake my palms in 1990. As he led him around the publishing house, Mallam Isa Funtua told the visiting Governor “this is your representative who discovered Gidan-Kaura Village in the then Gwadabawa Local Government submerged by Sand-Dunes in 1986”.
My five-year work experience with Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua has transformed into a chemistry of incidences that only death can set aside.A poisonous sensation has continued to ring in my ears over the loss of Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua to this moment. May Allah (SWT) open the doors of Jannatul Firdaus toward the grave of this patriot and comfort the bereaved family. Amen!
HALIRU SARKI KENDE
Former NIPR Chair
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State,
halsken55@yahoo.com
08067234599
