…Says Ndigbo are not unmanageable but protective of their business…
…Talks on how she turned LITFC around positively.
…Says the environment is still hostile to female politicians
Chief (Mrs.) Lucy Ajayi is the immediate past ED/CEO, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, LITFC,. A year after she left office, awards are still pouring in to her, the latest being the one from Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Award in Abuja last week. Deputy Editor, newdawnngr Charles Okogene, in this interview, sought to know the secret behind her achievements at LITFC that included but not limited to making the complex money spinning outfit in her days, rehabilitation of all internal roads within the complex, acquisition of giant generators to supply electricity to the complex. 
It has been more than two years since your tenure ended at LITFC, and awards and recognitions are still pouring in as if you are still in office, what is the secret?
Lucy Ajayi, LITFC boss, in Edo for APC campaign flag off
It is more than a year that my tenure ended at LITFC. Precisely April 2021. The mercy and grace of the Almighty God is the secret. I am surprised too. It only showed that Nigerians appreciated my stewardship. I thank them all.
With the Igbere TV leadership award
For the benefit of those who do not know and for those who know but might have forgotten, can you relate to us again, what you consider as your greatest achievement there?
Lucy Ajayi opens up after LITFC tenure
My greatest achievement there was to return LITFC back to the government from a concession that went wrong after nine years of non remittance to the government.
What was you greatest challenge (s) and how did you over come it or them?
My greatest challenge was how to remove the former concessionaire out of the complex; for eight months that I couldn’t access my office, I was operating from Abuja.
I overcame by the mercy of God and the National Assembly. I am eternally grateful to Sen. Abubakar Yusuf, representing Taraba Central Senatorial District for his support and encouragement.
Lucy Ajayi, LITFC boss, in Edo for APC campaign flag off
It is said that the Igbos are much more in population than other tribes at LITFC, and that due to their republican nature, are ‘unmanageable’ but they were loyal to you, how did you do it?
The Igbos are not unmanageable. It’s a misconception. They are only protecting their businesses, which is not out of place. I must commend them in trade fair, they are awesome. They were loyal because I was humane to them.
LITFC in your time, contributed severally, millions of naira to the federal government’s purse thus, erasing the erroneous belief that the place cannot make money for governmet. How did you do it?
As the ED/CEO of LITFC, I contributed several millions to the government because the stakeholders cooperated in paying their annual ground rents. We were able to lease some hectares of land laying fallow for their cluster expansion and that raised our annual revenue too since those idle lands now had monetary values placed on them, rather than harbouring reptiles and other animals on them and paying to clear the forest.
You wasted no time at the end of your tenure in returning to your familiar terrain, politiking and campaigning for others, why have you not presented yourself to the people for elective post?
I have said it severally that for now I won’t present myself for elective position because the environment is still hostile to female politicians. Until it improves, I remain an appointive candidate o.
What is the chances of your party in the next election. Do you think the party can repeat the 2015/19 feats and why do you think so?
My party, APC, will win in the next election. I think so because our candidates are the best.
The party has been criticised in all fronts over its Muslim/Muslim ticket, what is your take?
Promise made, promise kept, the story of Ajayis
Well as a Christian, I felt uncomfortable. But when I think that there is no provision in our constitution stating what religion candidates should be. I rest my case.
The leadership of Mrs Lucy ajayi is a simple of a good leader she always carried there people Along in team of administrative, I am coming on Nigerian woman and youth should learn from her legacy.