Pastor Mrs Funmi Ademola, an experienced and versatile Front Office Manager, on Friday, March 14, 2025, formally presented her debut book titled “The Gatekeepers” to the public at the Akin Dania Event Centre, CLAM Apostolic Complex, Omole, Lagos.
The 4-in-1 event was in commemoration of Mrs. Ademola’s 30 years of professional engagement as a Secretary across different sectors. According to her, the occasion was a celebration of “a journey of three decades of dedicated service, learning and growth. It was also a celebration of her 55th birthday and 26th wedding anniversary.
She added: “I wrote this book to share my story, my successes and the strategies that have helped me thrive. It is my little way of giving back to the profession that has given me so much. This book is not just a collection of my experiences, it is a manual for every secretary, administrator, executive assistant and anyone entrusted with responsibility. It is also a reminder that we are not just employees, we are gatekeepers”.
Advertisement
To order your copy, send a WhatsApp message to +1 317 665 2180
The occasion was attended by dignitaries such as Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Senior Pastor, CLAM Global, and his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Bukola Oladiyun, Founder, Voice of Joy and Gladness Women International Ministry.
About the Author
Funmilayo Adebisi Ademola was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, and pursued her education at Queens of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools. She earned her Ordinary and Higher National Diplomas in Secretarial Studies from Kwara State Polytechnic and later obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos.
Driven by her passion for building a successful career in administration, Funmilayo pursued further professional development by attending management courses for secretaries and personal assistants at two prestigious institutions: Michael Stevens & Associates School of Organisation & Business Studies and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
She is a certified Associate of the Chartered Institute of Administration (ACIA) and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered). Additionally, Funmilayo completed her Basic and Advanced Leadership Training at Daystar Academy and obtained a diploma in Computer Operations from Universal Computer Training Institute, enhancing her IT skills.
Her quest for excellence also led her to London Training for Excellence, where she earned an Advanced Certificate in Advanced Office Management and e-Secretariat from the United Kingdom (UK).
Funmilayo began her career as a Confidential Secretary at Commerce Bank Plc before moving to IPWA Plc, where she served as the Confidential Secretary to the Managing Director/CEO until 2002. Since 2003, Funmilayo has held the position of Senior Secretary to the Senior Pastor of Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM) in Omole, Lagos.
In addition to her administrative career, Funmilayo is the Managing Director and CEO of FM Special Events, an organisation specializing in training event planners and managing party drinks. She is also a certified etiquette manager, having completed a Professional Business and Corporate Etiquette Training Course with Wellbred Concepts School of Etiquette. Funmilayo is happily married to Abayomi Ademola-Salami, and they are blessed with three children.
About the Book
The Gatekeepers unveils the powerful, often underappreciated role of the secretary, reframing it as a position of leadership, influence, and integrity. With over 30 years of real-life experience, Funmilayo Adebisi Ademola takes readers behind the scenes of the executive office, revealing the skills, resilience, and dedication required to thrive as a “gatekeeper” in an organisation.
More than a manual, this book is an exploration of what it means to balance professionalism with personal values, manage relationships with tact and empathy, and handle high-stakes responsibilities with composure. Each chapter gives insight into the traits that define an effective secretary: loyalty, discretion, adaptability, and foresight.
Funmilayo demonstrates how secretaries can shape the culture and efficiency of an organisation, proving themselves to be indispensable allies in any professional setting.
The Gatekeepers is both a tribute to the profession and a call to action. Funmilayo encourages secretaries, assistants, and all office administrators to embrace their roles fully, lead by example, and to understand their critical position at the heart of their organisations.
Prepare to be inspired by the journey of a secretary who saw her role as a calling and rose to become a trusted “gatekeeper” .
The Podium International Magazine was there to bring you this pictorial highlight.
