Folake Ani-Mumuney: Amazon with amazing leadership archetypes
“The character and qualifications of the leader are reflected in the men he/she selects, develops and gathers around him. Show me the men and I will know their leader. Therefore, to have loyal and efficient employees, be a loyal and efficient employer.” – Arthur W. Newcomb.
Above quote by the renowned American Theologist, Rev. Arthur W. Newcomb, also a famous philosopher best illustrates the brand enigma called Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, Chairman, Board of Directors, FBN Insurance Brokers/General Manager and Global Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications of First Bank Limited.
For the uninitiated, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, popularly known and referred to as FAM by her numerous fans, friends, associates and colleagues was the immediate past President of Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), a priviledged umbrella body for all registered leading companies in Nigeria.
Indeed, the excitement and joy to attempt this short historiography about Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, a self-effacing Amazon, with amazing leadership archetypes under our new column stems from some discreet testimonials stumbled upon by this column from some former colleagues of this enigmatic brand and marketing enthusiast.
Added to this is the personal and close encounters the writer have had with FAM severally on industry issues, especially on the growth and development of the Nigerian Integrated Marketing Communications.
That the management boards of FBN Holdings and First Bank of Nigeria have continued to entrust high responsibilities on Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney speaks eloquently about the high quality of FAM’s managerial and corporate leadership and acumen.
Describing Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney’s brand archetypes to those who have not met her in person could be very difficult and sometimes much more so to those who intimately know her and her many brilliant and excellent ways.
Just recently, a former colleague of hers, Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emegbo unveiled Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney on his LinkedIn page where he made FAM his #Woman Crush Wednesday all in an attempt to celebrate his former boss and benefactor. That short testimony reads: ”working closely with FAM, one of the indelible lessons that have stayed with me is the way she develops, empowers and coaches her team. No sacrifice is too great”.
Continuing in his testimony, Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emeagbo, an International teacher reeled out names of most of the former colleagues of FAM who have become very outstanding, successful and celebrated in their various organizations and careers. These former colleagues, more than a dozen of them had hitherto worked under the direct supervision and leadership of Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney at the Corporate Communications Department of First Bank, the financial Octopus that continues to set the pace in the competitive Nigerian financial market.
According to Uvie-Emegbo’s testimony, “FAM has impacted successful team mates and professionals like Bukie Oluyadi, Funmillayo Falola, Ogechukwu Udeagha, Victoria Onwubiko, Bridget Oyefeso- Odusami, Bethel Obioma, Efethuri Doghuje, Remi-Edwards Adebiyi and Babatunde lasaki”. He also disclosed that these individuals were former members of the then Marketing and Corporate Communications team at First Bank of Nigeria but today Champions currently doing exploits elsewhere.
Concluding, Uvie Emegbo said, “Dear Folake Ani-Mumuney, like so many others that are priviledged to work with you, my career is much better because of you.”
Corroborating the testimony, Mrs. Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami, now Head, Marketing Communication at Stanbic IBTC and one of FAM’s former colleague said “all lines, totally and fully supported Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emegbo”, thanking Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney for allowing us to crush on you”.
Also testifying to FAM’s large heartedness and sterling leadership quality, Ifeanyi Anthony Okonkwo, Strategy & Executive & Project Management of First Bank has exciting story to share about the remarkable brand personae of FAM.
His testimony: “Yes, I totally agree with you Dr. Andersn Uvie- Emegbo on your comments about Folake. She (FAM) is one person with a large heart. My first experience with her was in 2018. I had just resumed at the head office of First Bank and on a certain day, we were informed of free meals for all staff in Marina. I was shocked that someone could be considerate and generous enough to do such. On enquiry, I learnt it was FAM’s birthday. Truth is she didn’t have to do it but she did. She doesn’t even work at 35 Marina, yet she chose to spoil us with goodies that day. I recall asking for her number and reached out to her to tell her how kind she was. Thank you FAM for the very rich flavor you bring to the work place. We are better off with you at First Bank”.
Also commenting about FAM, Temitayo Akpeneye, Digital marketing Manager at the bank, said, “Dr. Uvie-Emegbo used the right words that Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney has a way of empowering people to do exploit. She isn’t satisfied with you just doing as she says, she wants you to think on your feet and always find long lasting solutions. In all of these push, she is also kind. I am a student in the school of FAM and, it has been an enlightening journey. She is simply FAMazing!”
Another current student of the cerebral corporate leader, Mrs. Chinwe Bode Akinwande, Head, Digital Marketing & Innovation captures FAM’s brand essence and purpose more succinctly, when she said, “FAM is amazing, extremely intelligent; Her leadership style is admirable, so simple and gracious. More blessings and accomplishments Madam.
Aside those who have worked with her or still working with her, FAM surely has a large followership of fans, admirers and well-wishers who value her immeasurably, for the large dose of leadership qualities God has deposited in the elegant amazon.
For Opeoluwa Filani, Sales Director at JCDecaux, FAM is a true leader 100%. “ I agree 100% FAM is a true leader whose deliberate actions have inspired many others to dream more, learn more, do more and have become more, I join everyone to celebrate you Folake Ani-Mumuney.”
Quite honestly, FAM personifies exemplary leadership. She is no doubt a leader by example who points the way, leads the way and gives requisite guidelines on result achievements, while acting out in practice and not in precepts. For all the testimonies so far shared, MARKETING EDGE can authoritatively confirm that none is an over statement.
Impeccable industry sources confirmed to MARKETING EDGE recently that FAM is not only a restless and relentless teacher; she is also an insatiable scholar, combing one Ivy Leagues institution after the other in search of learning and knowledge.
Gists have it that she is a voracious reader who can hardly drop a printed material until after consuming the content. What you don’t want her to read is what you don’t drop on her table or near her. It is no longer a secret that the quarterly training or brain-storming sessions she introduced for capacity building of her team mates has become another master class on its own. Come to think of it, she leads the session most of the times and also allows team members to lead and share knowledge all in the attempt to expand their frontiers of knowledge. If leading out- source capacity agencies have not been hired to train employees of First Bank in the Corporate Communications Department for some years now, It is because FAM has become the in-house Professor of marketing (laughs) an incomparable but highly admirable ideas shop gifted in intellect, rich in wisdom, outstanding in kindness and generosity.
Hardly can you get her match amongst her peers. It is not an exaggeration, but a statement of fact! With over ten years behind the pro-active image and reputation management at First Bank, the Sky is surely a starting point as the Corporate Communications industry and indeed, the IMC industry has not heard the last from this humble and humane brand personality.
Tijani Akinkunmi, Deputy General Manager, FirstBank, who described Folake as the boss and leader, said her energy, drive, passion, creativity and innovation are infectious.
“I am Priviledged to be with you in the same class facilitated by Andrew Kakabadse, the Emeritus Professor of Governance and Leadership at Cranfield University School of Management months ago. The outcome of your analysis under Meyers and Briggs Test says “you love to start new things, nurture it successfully but briefly, hand it over to someone else and move on to new challenging adventures”.
“I find you persuasively engaging and gifted with one of the success factors for leadership – listening. Happy birthday my sister – God bless you more and more. Congratulations, FAM,” he said.
Akinkunmi profoundly thanked the Amazon for her unrelenting efforts to sustain the leading banking brand in Nigeria, FirstBank and the subsidiaries.
Judging from the various testimonies by all her former and present colleagues, business associates and industry operators, there is no doubting the fact the Rev. Arthur W. Newcomb surely had the likes of Mrs. Folake Ani Mumuney in mind when he gave the world that immortal quote. Without any equivocation, a quick check on the profiles and pedigrees of all who have passed through FAM’s school of leadership training will reveal how successful and distinguish these personalities are in their respective fields of endeavours. In classifying her leadership archetypes, FAM conveniently falls within the realms of the Coach, the Builder, the Strategist, the Processor, the Innovator and the Communicator.
Profile
Folake Ani-Mumuney (FNIMN, HCIB, MCIM) leads the Marketing and Corporate Communications function globally for the FirstBank Group, Nigeria’s foremost commercial banking group with presence across the African continent, China and the United Kingdom. Folake also has oversight for same function for FBN Holdings Plc and all its subsidiaries spanning Asset Management, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Insurance, Pension Fund Custodian services – making it one of the most diversified financial conglomerates on the continent.
Folake currently serves as the Chairman Board of Directors, FBN Insurance Brokers, Vice Chairman, Junior Achievement Nigeria and sits on the Executive Council of the World Federation of Advertisers.
With a career spanning over 25 years across diverse sectors such as banking, aviation, manufacturing, oil & gas, amongst others, Folake has held varied roles, leading strategy and business planning, business analysis & process re-engineering, business development, innovation and marketing.
She has managed portfolios in various locations globally, and held responsibility for diverse regions covering Europe & Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and the United Kingdom at various points in her career.
Folake started her career with British Airways in the UK, where she contributed to driving business solutions across the CASAMEA region. Folake then served based out of Johannesburg for several years as Marketing Services Manager Africa from where she moved back to the UK taking on the role of Manager Brands, Policies and Communication responsible for the Europe and Africa region.
With a burning passion for development of the African Continent Folake moved to Nigeria to take on the pioneer role of Chief Marketing & Corporate Communications Officer for the Dangote Group, an executive role that saw her introduce many innovations to the largest diversified conglomerate in Africa.
From there, Folake joined the FirstBank Group, where she serves as the Chief Image Maker primarily for the Commercial Bank, with oversight responsibility for the other operating companies under the FBNHoldings banner globally.
In addition, she is leading the turnaround of one of the strategic subsidiaries, FBN Insurance Brokers as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Folake serves on the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) a global trade association of the leading multi-national advertisers headquartered in Brussels. A past President, of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), Folake serves on many boards and is particularly proud to contribute on not for profit boards such as Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN). JAN is a part of the World’s oldest and largest non-profit economic education organization, operating in 120 countries worldwide. With a keen interest in diversity and inclusion Folake is an Advisory Board Member of WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers) and served on the WimBoard Advocacy committee of WimBiz (Women in Business and Politics) amongst others.
She serves as Non-Executive Director on Boards with focus on Marketing, Technology, Communication and Transportation.
Folake is often tapped to lead and contribute to many Public-Sector initiatives and was appointed as a steering committee member of the Ministry of Finance led Federal Government Presidential Committee on Efficiency in 2016.
She is an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK, a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria and a member of the Institute of Directors Nigeria.
Folake holds a first degree in Philosophy from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, a second degree in Law from the University of Buckingham, England and a Diploma in Business Computing Systems Analysis and Design. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme and has attended many Executive Education programmes from leading Business Schools.
A recipient of many awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Awards 2019 by Marketing World Awards, Ghana, Folake is a sought-after speaker within and outside Africa. Folake is emphatically committed and especially focused on Africa and fully dedicates her efforts to the growth and development of the continent and her people.
She is a versatile professional much sought after by A-rated multinationals because of her intellectual prowess and entrepreneurial sagacity. She was the former President of Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, the umbrella association for all advertisers (Corporate organisations that engage in major advertising) in Nigeria.
Folake is happily married with 3 children, and currently lives in Nigeria.
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