President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the passing away of his longtime friend, Malam Isa Funtua.  Isa Funtua died of cardiac arrest on Monday. He was  aged 78.

President Buhari in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, said the development has created a huge gap in his life.

The statement read: “President Muhammadu Buhari received with deep sadness on Monday evening information on the passing of his long-time friend and associate, Malam Isma’ila Isa Funtua, who was Life Patron of International Press Institute and Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria.

“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 the repose of Malam Funtua’s soul, and to grant the family strength and fortitude to bear the loss.”

Funtua was the Chairman, Bulet International Construction Company until his death.

He was born in Funtua, Katsina State, and was a pioneer student of the Federal Training Centre, Kaduna.

Funtua, who was the Minister of Water Resources in the defunct Second Republic, established the Democrat Newspapers in the 1990s.