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Ismaila Isa Funtua was a Nigerian politician, businessman, and philanthropist. He was born on September 1941 in Funtua, Katsina State, Nigeria. Funtua was known for his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s political and economic landscape. He was a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM). Funtua passed away on July 20, 2020, at the age of 78.
Early Life and Education
Funtua was born and raised in Funtua, Katsina State, Nigeria. He attended the Provincial Secondary School in Katsina before proceeding to the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he obtained a degree in Journalism. Funtua also attended the Manchester University in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a post-graduate diploma in Printing Technology.
Career
Funtua started his career as a journalist with the New Nigerian newspaper in 1962. He rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director of the newspaper in 1975. Funtua later ventured into business and established the Bulet International Nigeria Limited, a construction company that was involved in the construction of several landmark projects in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Defense Academy in Kaduna and the International Conference Center in Abuja.
Funtua was also actively involved in politics. He was a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic and served as the Minister of Water Resources and Rural Development. He was also a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).
Political Records
| Political Record | Year |
|---|---|
| Minister of Water Resources and Rural Development | 1983-1985 |
| Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) | 2009-2020 |
Personal Life
Funtua was married and had children. He was a devout Muslim and was actively involved in philanthropic activities. He was a member of several social and cultural organizations, including the Katsina State Development Foundation and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Net Worth
Funtua’s net worth was estimated to be around $900 million at the time of his death. In Nigerian Naira, his net worth was estimated to be around ₦327 billion. In Canadian dollars, his net worth was estimated to be around CAD 1.2 billion. In Ghanaian cedis, his net worth was estimated to be around GHS 5.2 billion. In Kenyan shillings, his net worth was estimated to be around KES 98 billion. In South African rand, his net worth was estimated to be around ZAR 13 billion. In Ugandan shillings, his net worth was estimated to be around UGX 3.3 trillion. In Indian rupees, his net worth was estimated to be around INR 67 billion.
Overall, Funtua was one of the wealthiest individuals in Nigeria and was known for his philanthropic activities, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.
Awards and Nominations
Funtua received several awards and nominations in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s political and economic landscape. Some of these include:
- Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
- Life Patron of the International Press Institute (IPI)
- Life Patron of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
- Life Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
Social Media Accounts
Here are some of Funtua’s social media accounts:
Funtua’s contributions to the development of Nigeria’s political and economic landscape will always be remembered. He was a true patriot and a great man.