Late Isa who died at his residence in Gwarimpa, Abuja has since been buried in Kaduna according to Islamic injunctions. He died at the age of 76.
Late Isa who started his working career with Radio Nigeria, Kaduna in the 60s is survived by a wife, daughter, five grand children and ninegreat grand children. Sympathisers have continued to throng his residence at Amingo junction in Kaduna metropolis to condole the family over his demise.
Wife of the deceased, Hajia Rukayatu described her late husband as a nice person. “He was a nice person. We lived peacefully throughout with him. We have been together for over 40 years. He treated all people around him equally and that was what endeared him to many,” she said.
According to her, her husband had premonition of his death.
”Hours before he died, he complained of headache and when I said we should take him to the hospital, he said no, that the headache was a terminal one. I became worried and we rushed him to hospital. He died on 7th of this month around 10.am,” she said.
The deceased’s only daughter, Hajiya Sadiya Isa described the death of her father as shocking and prayed Allah to grant him paradise.
Late Isa’s closest friend, Alhaji Sa’adu Daura said the deceased’s immense contribution to his community was unequal.
“He would be missed not only by his immediate family, but the whole people of our community because he assisted a lot of people. He was a philanthropist. He assisted many to secure employment and education. Our last discussion with him was on our mosque which he played immeasurable role in its completion,” he said.
On his part, the deceased foster son, Alhaji Musa Isa said the deceased was his mentor.
The Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), Mrs. Adefunke Sharon Kasali described late Isa as a father in the industry who helped prevented many crises that were capable of disrupting activities in the sector.
“The man was truly one of a kind, a father, a mentor, extremely straight forward and honest. In fact, his demise is a great loss that will take a longer time in our memories”
In a statement issued by NARTO signed by the National President, Alhaji Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya and the Executive Secretary, Barrister Emmanuel Gowon, the body described the late Isa as a father, guardian, mentor and adviser to the industry.
The association appreciated all those who contributed in various ways during the funeral and mourning period of the late Isa which include President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Presidents General Ibrahim Babangida rtd and Olusegun Obasanjo among others.
According to a member of the National Executive Committee and former Executive Secretary of NARTO, Barrister Enok Kanawa, the late Isa was a guru in the transportation industry.
According to him, the late Isa was able to accomplish so much across all segments of the transportation industry, more especially the road transport sector, adding that the industry will never forget his contribution as a bridge builder between government, transporters, labour unions and oil marketers.
Kanawa said the entire industry will miss his kindness, wisdom, experience and advises that bring the industry where it is today.
A personal secretary to late Isa, Mr. Philips Obadiah told Weekly Trust that Alhaji Isa was a patriotic Nigerian who carried everyone along. He described his kind gesture as a special gift from God and prayed Almighty to grant him eternal rest.
A statement from the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the invaluable contributions of Alhaji Isa to the agency, as a major stakeholder and former board member went a long way in giving the agency a better insight into how to fruitfully collaborate with road transport stakeholders, as well as the actual formation of the FERMA Stakeholder Committees on Road Maintenance and ffunding of which he was a key figure until his demise.
The FERMA management prayed God Almighty to grant members of NARTO the strength to carry on with his good legacies and members of his immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
On his part, former Ambassador of Nigeria to Spain, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman recalled his days at the Radio Nigeria, Kaduna with the late Lawan Isa.
“I first came across him in 1972, he was then working as a translator in the Broadcasting Company of Northern Nigeria. I was a continuity announcer. A programme called Barka da yau was conceived by the management of the station. It was a magazine programme. He was one of the producers of the programme. A team was put under him which included by my humble self as a narrator, Rabiu Bako and Mallam Abba Gwadabe.
“Barka da yau, is perhaps the longest programme running on Radio Kaduna. I was very young at that time , I was just 18. Under his leadership, we did well in the programme. He encouraged me to further my studies. Later in life, he did not only became a consummate politician but he also became a very big, robust negotiator as a unionist and excelled in the direction,” he recalled.
According to him, late Lawan Isa was one man who you can come across without him not impacting on your life.
“I worked with him for two years and he was a remarkable person who was passionate about everything. He was a man of integrity and honest. He inculcated all this in all of us. He gave premium to honour, integrity, hard work and accountability. Above all, he did well in mentoring young persons,” he said.
