Her early retirement in 2019 as Assistant Director from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) was a big surprise.
Typically, people on the management cadre of her level in a government agencies and civil service would look forward to becoming Directors and retire at 60 or clock 35 years in service according to the Civil service law.
However, for reasons best known to Anike-Ade Funke Treasure, presently Lead Consultant – Yellow Bloom Consulting, a training, media, strategy, personal development and Leadership organisation and Executive Director – Illuminate Nigeria Development Network LTD/GTE , she opted for private practice to utilise her incredible boundless energy and all-round communication expertise to implement her various unique ideas, concepts and programmes.
From one project to the other, she has showcased her immense multiple capacities as an accomplished broadcaster, writer, media trainer, researcher, conference facilitator, moderator, speaker, panellist, media analyst, leadership coach and more.
In late January, the multiple award-winning, multi-media skilled personality and social entrepreneur launched the Media Monitoring Initiative Documentary Fellowship for students with the faculty made up of highly resourceful documentary makers and journalists in Nigeria and abroad.
The fellowship which is the third project of the Funke Treasure Media Mentoring Initiative (MMi), originally inaugurated in 2010 is for early career documentary filmmakers interested in deepening their knowledge of the rich culture of Yoruba land, enrich their storytelling, delve into documentary making, ethics and engagements around the philosophies, governance and way of life of this prominent people of West Africa.
“Treasure has a way of touching lives with her works, voice and any project she is involved with. I have learned a lot from her,” said Radio Host and News Anchor Airat Abdul Rahmon who is a former MM1 participant.
Sub-Dean of Communication & Media at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Dr Steven Fatonji who participated in the first edition of MMi described his experience as beautiful and impactful.
Earlier in January, an appreciative Treasure announced a Hall of Fame listing of individuals and brands that have supported her impactful Sanitary Pad Media Campaign featuring storytelling through her radio drama, My Period, My Pride supported by the McArthur Foundation and aired on six Nigerian radio stations in 2023. It’s also presently airing on Radio Nigeria, Africa’s largest radio network with over 30 radio stations in one single broadcast. Her podcast on menstrual health, ‘My Period Stories’ is presently running on Africa Magic Family on DStv and GOtv simultaneously, beaming to sub-Saharan Africa weekly.
“How do you develop a programme from an issue like menstruation,” a colleague marvelled in acknowledgement of Treasure’s ingenuity.
The Bachelor of Education graduate of English Language from Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State, Master of Arts, Journalism & Media Studies – Rhodes University, South Africa and presently a doctorate student and an associate lecturer at Lagos State University, Lagos State, is well-sought after current affairs analyst on radio and TV who presently a co-host /panellist on ‘A Place at the Table’, on News Central TV, Channel 422 on DSTV.
Viewers of her television presentation described them as captivating and well-researched.
“Funke always at your best. My regards always. A shining example of female journalists,” Assistant Director Digital at Voice of Nigeria, Dr Qasim Akinreti wrote in a comment on a video post of one of Treasure’s A Place at the Table Monologue on LinkedIn.
Her other appearances on major TV networks in Nigeria include Newspaper Review on TVC’s breakfast show and The Advocate on PlusTV Africa on Channel 408 on DSTV on which she discusses pertinent issues in governance. Others are African Independent Television (AIT), Radio Now, Rainbow FM and University of Lagos Radio (Unilag Radio).
While at FRCN, she had a distinguished career which included being General Manager, FRCN’s Radio One during which she created a new and distinct identity for the station. She restructured and introduced interesting programmes, Manager, Corporate Development, Research and Strategy (FRCN) Radio Operations, Controller, Corporate Development, Research and Strategy (FRCN) Radio Nigeria,
Lagos Operations and Controller Presentation– FRCN’s Metro FM, Lagos Operations.
Her writings on various platforms has also flourished including three books, Memories of Grandma, a childhood memoir; and two books in the pronunciation guide series for second language speakers of the English Language; The Clergy & The Spoken Word Industry.
Not many accomplished broadcasters remain relevant and visible years after retiring as Treasure has with recognition and the support she has been getting for her projects. Instead of fizzling out like many do without the opportunity the reach the platforms they used to work, Treasure has been busy multitasking and excelling in various media assignments.
Two recent awards she has bagged include Iconic Brand Africa and a finalist for Investing in Young Women category of the Gender Mainstreaming Awards (West African Edition).
One the things that has kept the irrepressible Treasure going despite challenges she has had to cope with including some of her ideas not easily making sense to some people she shares them with is believing in her dream and being focused.
“It’s your dream, not theirs. You were called to it, not them. Mind your purpose, your dream and your passion, and out of the crowd of onlookers, your team would emerge, your admirers would come and your rewarders would emerge. Live your dream, ” Treasure said.
Asked what she likes most about what she does in an interview with African Women in the Media News Conversation, she said “the thrill of breathing life into ideas and accomplishing each task. It is non-monotonous nature. I can’t thrive in a non–creative environment, the boredom will snuff the life out of me.”
Her greatest fear is not returning to God empty of the gifts he’s given her.
Who knows what next innovative project Treasure is up to? Only the sky can be her limit.
READ ALSO: Our motivations for getting PhDs – female journalists