A former President of the Newspapers Proprietors of Nigeria( NPAN), and influential media leader, Mallam Isa Funtua, is dead.

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s close ally died on Monday in Abuja while undergoing a routine medical check-up, shortly after he drove himself to the hospital. He was 78 years old.

He reportedly suffered a massive heart attack during the medical check-up.

An in-law to Buhari revealed that the deceased will be buried on Tuesday.

Among early callers to his residence was a former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mallam Wada Maida.

Until his death, he was one of the most influential politicians and businessmen in Nigeria. He was also a life patron of NPAN.

He recently clarified he was not seeking to be Chief of Staff to Buhari or contest the Presidency in 2023.