FUNMI WAKAMA: Yet another laurel for a workaholic diva of the tube

THOMAS IMONIKHE

 

Funmi Wakama, the workaholic yet humble general manager of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Abeokuta and quintessential broadcaster received a rare recognition during the just concluded International Women’s Day for her extraordinary contributions to media development in the country.

 

Mrs. Wakama, who, despite enormous challenges has through ingenuity, clearly transformed the federal station in Ogun State since assuming duty August 2017, to the delight of viewers and listeners across the globe, was among the 100 outstanding women leaders that made the list of the 2022 edition of Nigeria Women Annual: 100 Leading Women.

 

Other notable women similarly recognized for their attainments in such diverse areas as media, business, politics, advocacy, medicine and other sectors include  literary giant Chimamanda Adichie, TY Bello, Ndidi Nwuneli, Adesua Dozie, Aiboni Elohor, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, Lagos State University, LASU, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, Yemisi Edun, Folake Soetan, former Minister, Aisha Abubakar and others.

 

The Nigeria Women Annual: 100 Leading Women” according to its organizers is the premier qualitative profiling of phenomenal women in Nigeria who have contributed to the development of Nigeria and the world.

 

It is not only a ‘gender-specific biographical compendium that responds to existing gender gaps in Nigeria’s biographical documentation and leadership, but described as the most qualitative biographical profile on the nation’s most inspirational and influential women whose work will contribute to shaping Nigeria’s collective history in 2022’. The compendium is published annually to commemorate the International Women’s Day, March 8.

 

But even Funmi critics will admit the fact that the television star has in conjunction with government and development partners done everything humanly possible to turn around the fortunes of the station to fulfill its core mandate as general manager.

 

Specifically, her top achievements in over four years include, restoration of public power to the station’s Ogbe premises after nine years of darkness  and installation of pre-paid meter at both Ogbe/Egunya premises; full digitisation of the station’s operation and transmission, that is from news gathering with HD cameras, non- linear editing, to live streaming of the news  and other special programmes on YouTube and Facebook in addition to the StarTimes platform; facilitating three vehicles  and three high definition cameras for the station.

 

Her tenure has also witnessed the placement  of NTA Abeokuta on Google Play Store, the creation of NTA Abeokuta Social Media Platforms: own Website, Instagram page, Facebook page, Twitter handle and YouTube channel; facilitating drilling of borehole and installation of 12 solar power panels by Ogun Osun River Basin Authority to provide water for the station and its immediate environment at its Ogbe premise.

 

Other infrastructures are the provision of wall fences at both premises; Gate House by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); rehabilitation of the colonial building; provision of solar powered security flood lights and CCTV at both premises; staff trainings within and outside of Ogun State for proficient courses at the Television College) and upward review of wages and prompt payment of contract and casual staff; increased marketing drive; synergy with government and non-profit organisations including security agencies.

 

Little surprise therefore that the Ogun State Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR has had cause to pour encomiums on the ace broadcaster for her steadfastness and proactive approach in the management of NTA Abeokuta.

 

Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle  Somorin, on the occasion of Funmi’s birthday described her  “as a model, intelligent, stylish, hardworking journalist and media manager who has not only paid her dues in the profession, but worthy  of plaudits and recommendations for the successor generation of professionals in her field. Funmi Wakama is clearly an icon of prodigious hue. She symbolises excellence in journalism and public service and can be said to be one of our brand ambassadors in Ogun State”

 

According to him, the general manager who is practically running the station with her blood,  has creatively turned around the fortunes of NTA Abeokuta.  “That is an attestation to her managerial acumen and in tandem with the never-say-die and indomitable spirit of Ogun blood running in her veins. In spite of the challenges, she trudges on like a Phoenix and  inspires confidence in her junior colleagues while mentoring them”.

 

Continuing, the governor insisted that Mrs Wakama remains a courageous journalist who stood among the best in the practice of ethical journalism adding that she cannot be cowed neither would she buckle in the face of adversity. “I am proud that in and out of government, she is focussed, balanced and fair in her editorial judgement and in her dealings with people. Her service to humanity will be recorded as exemplary by history”.

 

But Abiodun’s  testament of her track record of unblemished service and integrity though totally grounded on facts, has indeed served as a morale booster for the unassuming woman of substance, vision and excellence

 

Indeed, over the years, the former Funmi Coker has enlivened the nation with her sonorous voice and soothing mien on the popular NTA Network News attracting in the  process millions of viewers and listeners globally even though her ambition was to be a lawyer before veering into journalism ‘’the next best thing for me”. But till date her ardent viewers still crave for her return to regular appearance on the tube especially on network news.

 

Funmi had made history when she served as the nation’s first female Chief Press Secretary to the Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, during his first tenure between 2011 and 2015. Besides, prior  to that  appointment as the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the governor, she was also the first Media Manager, Programme and Outreach, of the International Republican Institute (IRI), an agency under the USAID programme in Nigeria.

 

Born  Olufunmilayo Yetunde Coker in 1966 in Lagos, Mrs. Wakama, as she is now known, is a graduate of Mass Communication from the Ogun State (now Moshood Abiola) Polytechnic Abeokuta before proceeding to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos as well as the University of Abuja, obtaining respectively in these institutions; a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Masters in Public Administration.

 

This is in addition to a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations from the Business Education  Examination Council, Lagos.

It is on record that her exceptional industry and dedication to duties made her star attraction both within and outside the NTA which perhaps explains the on the job laurels including  the Divisional Best Worker Award; Best Worker Award and the General Manager’s Commendation garnered.

 

In 1991, under the then Lagos Military Governor Col. Raji Rasaki’s (now a retired Brigadier General) administration she was appointed Member, Advisory Committee, Lagos State Government Commission on Women in addition to receiving several awards and commendations such as a special recognition by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) as a Special Celebrity Marshal, Woman of the Media by National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Female Leadership Forum and other awards too numerous to mention.

 

Described as a virtuous woman and highly principled, Funmi amazing strides as administrator of the television station so far has been properly situated on her steely character, hard work, tenacity of purpose, focused and servant leadership as well as the fear of God.

 

Responding  to the latest recognition, the amiable, beautiful and intelligent broadcaster with a Midas touch said it  would serve as a challenge to do more in her chosen endeavour.

 

Justifiably however, those who have either encountered her on the line of duty or witnessed the current transformational strides at the NTA Abeokuta were swift to attest to the fact that gender has not been a barrier but rather a source strength which account for the total turn around of the station in a record time adding that the latest laurel is a harbinger of greater honours ahead the mother of two happily married to a an engineer from Rivers State.

 

 

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