Firmware build for ESPRUINOWIFI fails make: *** [libs/graphics/lcd_arraybuffer.o] Error 1 'for' loop only allowed in C99 or C11 mode

Been at it another two hours even trying @fanoush export path statement which two weeks ago seemed to work. but still consistent:

libs/graphics/lcd_arraybuffer.c:222:9: error: 'for' loop initial declarations are only allowed in C99 or C11 mode 
         for (int i=0;i<gfx->data.bpp;i+=8)

Seems identical to this post years ago: (but using Ubuntu directly)

Compiling errors on Ubuntu 16.04

No confirmed solution there however.