With vast experience that spans over 23 years in broadcasting, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, a media expert who holds the exalted position as the first ever female Chief Press Secretary in Ogun State, revealed that Governor Ibikunle Amosun is a great man.
Olufinmilayo Wakama
In this interview with our correspondent recently, she opened up on her experience outside her chosen profession,who Governor Amosun is and her future plans
Excerpts:
Q: Having spent four good years with the governor of Ogun state, senator Ibikunle Amosun, how has it been working with him?
I thank God for the wonderful opportunity of working with the governor, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who in his quest to get the best hands to work with him, without any prior relationship, sought me out. It is actually less than two months shy of four years.
How time flies! It is indeed a privilege to have passed through this ‘Political College’, under the leadership of His Excellency. I also thank him for the opportunity to serve my State, in this capacity.
Maybe you don’t know this; I am the first female Spokesperson or Chief Press Secretary as some would prefer to call it, in Ogun State and in the whole Country to a serving Governor. And that makes me feel so proud.
To work with him, one must be full of energy and vitality and believe me when I say this; there are days when we are in the office till 1:00 am and sometimes beyond and I don’t mean receiving visitors at the Government house.
You must be on top of your game, because he does not suffer fools gladly. You must be full of energy like I said earlier and be ready to work. He is a man driven solely by his passion to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of Ogun State.
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Let me mention here that in addition to appointing the first female spokesperson, I am his first appointee, because the Chief Press Secretary announces the other appointments. On our first day at work, the governor and his team from the Transition committee, inspected the entire secretariat. Yes, you need to know the Oke Mosan Secretariat to appreciate this.
As a TV gal, who had no knowledge of what I was in for, I was all dressed up and in a pair of Stiletto shoes, thinking it was going to be ‘all about Media Relations and Management’, don’t forget that I came in from a background of glitz and glamour, having worked in the Television Industry for twenty three years. I have since found out that it is not a tea party.
That man is a workaholic and can kill!. Like Albert Einstein said ” The only source of knowledge is experience”. I have had to do my job as Chief Press Secretary, sometimes do a bit of Protocol, security and mind reading. You must be able to think on your feet, and anticipate his moves, which I call mind reading, really.
Q: What were you doing before he appointed you as his mouthpiece?
I was the media manager, programme and outreach, International Republican Institute (IRI), an Agency under the United States Government (USG) USAID, programme, in Nigeria.
I took a leave of absence from the NTA, having served for over two decades and risen to the position of Manager News. I felt I needed to do something different. It was a delight to see President John Kuffour, a few weeks back.
We brought him in for our Observer Mission Programme when I was in IRI. I recall that the last but one IGP, Hafiz Ringim, used to refer to me as “Mrs John Kuffour”, in my effort to secure an appointment for a courtesy visit to him as the IGP. IRI was fun, it was another school of its own, having then spent 23 years in NTA.
It was a breath of fresh air! And my boss as well as my colleagues couldn’t fathom what it was I was going to do in a political environment. “People don’t leave USG agencies, once they are in. “You, that we know cannot survive in a political environment; you are too decent to want to join politics ,they said. But to the glory of God, four years down the line and the firm belief of my boss in me, I am still standing.
Q: What was your reaction when he offered you the job?
My first reaction was how did he know about me? I then called my husband to inform him. At the dinner table, we discussed it extensively, looking at the implication on the family and how I would cope since we had never lived apart.
It was of course imperative for me to do a lot of research on him. I asked questions from those who should know and everyone kept saying ” oh, he is a very decent, hardworking professional, thorough , who is well focussed” and I have found all of that to be true. What they probably forgot to mention is that the man is a workaholic.
Q: Having worked closely for four years with Governor Ibikunle Amosun, would you say that many people have been misunderstanding his leadership and governance style?
Leadership is sometimes about hard decisions, which could make you step on people’s toes, but provided such decisions are taken in the overall interest of the majority, I think it is okay.
Therefore, in pursuing this leadership philosophy, it is possible for a leader to be misunderstood. Let me put it this way; HE is a Rotarian at heart. He answers the Rotary four way test in all that he does. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendship and will it be beneficial to all concerned? These are some of his guiding principles. His Excellency, Senator Ibiukunle Amosun has always made himself clear. For him, it’s all about the good people of Ogun State. He will do anything to impact their lives positively.
That was the reason this administration embarked upon massive infrastructure development in the State, such that can only be compared to what you see off the shores of this country. He does not do things in half measures.
He has in addition to the massive roads in our various cities and towns, opened up rural roads, including the longest stretch of 110km; the Ilara-Egua-Tombolo-Oja/Odan road which cuts across four local government areas in the Yewa axis, which is in the West Senatorial District of the state.
The road like similar ones, is to improve the movement of farm produce to ready markets, thereby creating wealth and job opportunities. The State has therefore created enabling environment for viable economic activities thereby encouraging the growth of SMEs. Look at our Model Schools, they are a sight to behold.
We visited one of the Green houses the other day, and I could not believe what I saw! The vegetables were so beyond!
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That’s what we mean, when he says “Ogun Standard”, it is the minimum irreducible standard for development in the State. In the area of commerce, almost 60 Multinationals in the multi billion naira range have established presence in Ogun State, since the inception of this administration.
One can only imagine the multiplier effect on the lives of our people; jobs created, small and medium scale industries added, change of landscape and scenery, just to mention a few.
Ogun State is now the place to do business. Like he says “If you are not in Ogun State, you are not in Nigeria, and if not in Nigeria, you are not in the West of Africa and very soon, the continent, itself. I say this because, we have the deepest seaport in Africa, here in Ogun State and with an
All Progressive Congress government at the centre, it is as good as done. From day one, he told us at the Executive Council meeting that he wants to house Lagos, he wants to move and feed Lagos.
We have been able to provide affordable housing. After this interview, please take a drive through our Orange Valley Estate and the recently commissioned Plainfields Estate. Truly, we have done our home work.
As for feeding Lagos, the Eggua Rice Fields, the Green House projects I mentioned earlier and our various Farm Settlements and Farmers’ Markets are there for all to see. These are hard facts and incontrovertible.
To demonstrate how our administration intends to move Lagos, he has already signed an MOU with a Chinese firm, for the Ogun Light Rail System, which will take off in the second term.
Add that to the different Mass Transit Schemes in the state; the long and short Buses as well as the Taxis. In the area of security, most people have taken it for granted that the state had serious security challenges before the advent of this administration.
It is not for nothing that the Cleen Foundation; a reputable Non Governmental Organization adjudged the state as one of the best in terms of Security. Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration has committed huge resources to the procurement of state of the art Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC as well as other motorized security vehicles and gadgets.
As you well know, people’s needs and wants are insatiable and governance is work in progress, which involves judicious use of scarce resources. The good people of Ogun state should look forward to more dividends of democracy as we go into the second term in office.
Q: Would you now say that all these have worked for his re election into office at the last governorship election and how do you feel about the victory?
Yes, it does…thanks for the felicitations and good wishes. I think his victory is undoubtedly, a reaffirmation of the people’s confidence in the administration of His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
The good people of Ogun State spoke loud and clear with their votes by renewing his mandate, having kept his earlier pact with them. You should have been there to see the tumultuous crowd that greeted us wherever we went to campaign.
I have never seen so much love displayed for one man. The young, the old, women with babies on their backs, some pregnant. One woman with a few weeks’ old baby told us a day after the elections, that she went into labour at one of the campaign rallies and had brought her baby for Amosun to see. Such is the love for Mr Governor.
We had completed campaigns in all our 236 wards and the extension offered us additional opportunities for roadshow and more vigorous campaign, we went round all 20 local government areas in the State.
We met with all associations, groups and professional bodies. The message was the same “Change in Abuja, but continuity in Ogun State” and that was exactly what we got. The victory of course is sweet and most rewarding.
But he us told at the State Executive Council meeting, the Monday after the elections, that we shall not be resting on our oars, that the victory means more work and more sacrifice, adding that he cannot afford to let the people down.
I wish to commend the electorate for their good conduct before, during and after the elections. They kept their promise and we shall keep ours. They can only expect better performance from such exemplary leadership.
Q: So, what lessons have you learnt having worked with him this far?
The lessons are too numerous to recount in just one lifetime.The first thing I did was to shed the toga of being a celebrity and know that I was there to serve the good people of Ogun State.
To project and promote the activities and image of my principal, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Two, know that I was and would be meeting with people of diverse background and exposure. It is a mixed bag really of the good, the bad and the ugly.
Some, who used to admire one back in the days, would now want to lord things over you, because you are below them in the Organizational structure, or the mere fact of all being political appointees.
But for me, I have had more than my fair share of publicity and glamour that being in the background does not bother me a bit. In fact, I relish now being incognito but some “die-hard fans still recognize me, squint and ask “Are you not so so and so?
But for me and at all times, I look at the big picture and focus on my principal. I remember why I had to leave my family behind in Abuja and live in Abeokuta. I think of the value addition to my CV and credentials if I am able to endure and breast the tape.
I have also learnt that just as I was greatly once admired then on the tube, others would dislike me for no just cause. I make allowances for such people and still relate with them in the course of duty.
It’s just human nature! In addition, another challenge for me, is that unlike in the public service where I come from, there is hierarchy, line of communication and a chain of command.
Here, things are a bit fluid. Add to that the fact that you weigh your thoughts properly before you speak. It is a political environment and you need to factor other considerations into the equation. I have also learnt how to manage my time, which is a scarce resource here.
He could have as many as five, six or more assignments in one day and you need to decide on which ones to send for publication and which ones are non perishable such that they could be stepped down for another day. It is not as easy as it sounds.
Q: Can you briefly lead us into how you built a successful career in the broadcast industry in this country?
Ans: (sigh).. Thwnk so much for this question. I began my career in journalism in July, 1988 at the then Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Channel 7, Lagos, that was after completing the mandatory one-year industrial training programme.
Let me veer off a little, I had a stint in Advertising at Promoserve Advertising, on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos. Then, Prince Kehinde Adeosun, “the man with the golden voice”, was Chairman; Mr Allan Olabode, was the Managing Director and Mr Lolu Akinwunmi, was in the Creative Department.
I had my first break in broadcasting on Radio with Prince Adeosun, when he asked that I be paired with him to do a Radio commercial. Bright eyed young kid that I was, I got into the Studio, ARREM Studios, in Surulere and did my bit.
It became an instant hit and everybody wanted me; Insight Communications, Rosabel, etc. I guess I made a bit of money from those commercials.
Back to how I got into Television Broadcasting, I got invited by a family friend to an audition at NTA Ikeja, Channel 7 to be precise. Fortunately for me, the Controller Programmes, Mrs Shade Bankole, entered the Control room where the audition tape was being previewed and requested for me.
She in turn handed me over to Mrs Seyi Olusanya; the Head of Presentation, who became my mother hen and took me under her wings. I sat with her for just three days in the studio where she put me through the rudiments of Television Broadcasting. Believe me, she put me on air in three days and a Star was born!
The rest like they say is now history. Upon return of the country to constitutional democracy in 1999, I was posted to the Lagos State Governor’s office, Alausa, attached to the then Lagos State Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, with oversight responsibilities to Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa. Mr Dele Alake, was the Commissioner for Information and Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, was the Rt Hon Speaker of the LSHA at the time.
I was later transferred to the Lagos Network Centre. I recall how I was audition for the Network News by Mrs Elizabeth Nze-Uzuokwu, who was the head of presentation, NTA Network News.
After a few days, she called and said I was to take the news the following morning on a new Programme that was to debut on the Network Service at 7:00am. I was therefore the first News Anchor on AM Express, which became an instant hit among Television viewers in Lagos. Late Uncle Yinka Craig, was the Producer/Presenter, alongside Marian Arthur, now Mrs Anazodo.
In addition, I worked as Senior Editor, at the NTA Network, Lagos; charged with editorial duties for bulletins emanating from the Lagos Network Centre as well as anchoring major news and special events.
I must pay due respects to Mr Bayo Awosemo, who was the News Producer I was attached to. Uncle B, like we all called him, is another workaholic.
I guess some of my exceptional talents saw my transfer to NTA Network Service, Abuja, where as Principal Reporter/ Editor, I had editorial responsibilities for news broadcasts on the National Desk reporting national and international events as well one of the administrators of NTA News online website.
In 2007, I was promoted Assistant Manager News, NTA International – an elite station of the NTA, taking full editorial responsibilities for production and transmission of news of international flavour to the station’s international audience and a Member of the Station’s Editorial Board. In January, 2010, I was promoted Manager News and Current Affairs, NTA Headquarters, Abuja.
Without being immodest, a gold fish, they say, has no hiding place, I was invited for an interview by an international organisation; the International Republican Institute (IRI), an agency of the United States’ government under its USAID programme and appointed its first Programme Manager, Media and Outreach, Nigeria Office in August, 2010.
There, I was responsible to the Resident Country Director, overseeing and executing the organisation’s media and outreach policies and programmes, which included developing and conducting capacity building for media organisations, journalists and relevant stakeholders. You can therefore see that I have a lot of firsts.
The job actually prepared me for my present appointment, which to a large extent involved interacting with the media, political parties, elected public officials as well as Civil Society groups, of course, regarding our media activities and programmes.
Q: Who is Funmi Wakama?
I was born Olufunmilayo Yetunde Coker in 1966 in Lagos. Do the arithmetic, that means I will turn 50, next year. Olufunmilayo Yetunde Wakama, as she is now known, is a graduate of Mass Communication from the Ogun State Polytechnics,now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Ojere,Abeokuta.
I also went through the portals of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos as well as the University of Abuja, obtaining respectively in these institutions; a pstgraduate Diploma in Journalism and masters in Public Administration.
I must mention that in my educational cap is a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations from the Business Education Examination Council, Lagos.
Then known as Funmi Coker, my exceptional industry and dedication to duties did not go unnoticed both within and outside the NTA. I won at different times, the Divisional Best Worker Award; Best Worker Award and the General Manager’s Commendation among others.
In 1991, under the then Col. Raji Rasaki’s administration, I was appointed member, Advisory Committee, Lagos State Government Commission on Women. In addition to several awards and commendations in my kitty, is 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.
Q: With all these bulk of works at your side,how dis your husband feel and to go down memory line a bit,can you tell us briefly how both of you met and his profession?
My husband is a Civil Engineer. He is from Okrika, in Rivers State. Like me, he was born and bred in Lagos. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos. We met through a mutual friend.
He is from a very warm, caring Christian background. He is therefore God fearing, kind, loving and a wonderful father to our two boys. Apart from caring for and about his family, his other passion is Football.
I have tried to adopt his team, Manchester United which he started supporting in 1973 but that has been difficult because I am not a fan of the round leather game. He has allowed me to be me.
He has encouraged me to flourish in my chosen career and has been a very strong pillar of support. The two boys, he and I are happy.
Q: Your fashion style is unique,simple but fascinating,how do you choose what you wear and any magic wind?
For me, Style means different things at different times, it depends on the occasion. Sometimes I keep it simple and at other times, it could be glamorous, particularly, back in my days on television. The environment in which I find myself oftentimes determines my sense of style at any point in time.
Q: Thank so much for giving us this opportunity?
To God be the glory,thank you too.
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Olufunmilayo Wakama is also a graduate of Mass Communication from Ogun State Polytechnics now Moshood Abiola Polytecnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta and attended Nigeria Institute of Journalism(NIJ), Ogba-Lagos and the University of Abuja where she obtained Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Masters in Public Administration respectively.
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