Media Leaders Rename Newly Built NIJ House After Isa Funtua

By ABIODUN JIMOH

The collective leadership of the Nigerian Media have announced the naming of the newly built Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) House at Victoria Island, Lagos, as Ismaila Isa House to honour the life and times of a great icon in the pen profession.

Mallam Funtua died on Monday July 20th, 2020 after a life of dedicated service to Nigeria that spanned politics, business and media.

This announcement was made in a statement by Nduka Obaigbena, President, Nigerian Press Organisation on Wednesday in Abuja.

Obaigbena, who also double as the President of the Newspapers’ Proprietors Association of Nigeria in statement said: “For Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua untiring contributions to the development of Journalism and Freedom of the Press in Nigeria and around the world

“It is the privilege of the Nigerian Press Organisation, Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to name the newly rebuilt Nigerian Institute of Journalism House, Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, as Ismaila Isa House.

“This is to honour the life and times of Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, who died on Monday July 20th, 2020 after a life of dedicated service to Nigeria that spanned politics, business and media.

“His contributions to the development of journalism is innumerable; including, but not limited to his co-founding of Democrat Newspapers; President of the NPAN at a time of national crises, and later a Life Patron.

“His 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.”