Work Colleagues

Miss Helen Amromaya
Former Staff of FITC; 2003 – 2018

My Personal Experience: Dr. Newman, a full book will not be enough for me to describe and thank you for the positive impact you had in my career and personal life. You believed the best in me, even when I failed, which I did, severally, you allowed me learn from my mistakes to grow and be better. When I think of you, six words quickly come to mind: strength, purpose, intelligence, passion, compassion and faith.

I had the privilege of accompanying you to several meetings, I saw you stand up for what you believed in, you never ever allowed anyone to intimidate you, irrespective of their status you would always speak up, with conviction, articulately and intelligently. You never cowered when faced with challenges, while others would think it was impossible, you would not give up, you always pushed to the end. When it was time to be tough, you wore an iron glove. When it was time to be kind, you showed great compassion. I recall, when I had personal emergencies, I was still able to walk tall because you gave me assurance that you and FITC were behind me.

You invested in the lives of your staff, knew staff spouses and children by name and took staff personal issues personally.  No wonder my Nieces and Nephews will always ask me for “Aunty MD”- that is how they see you – Aunty MD.

Your love for God was apparent in the way you sustained the FITC monthly staff devotional. You made it your goal to preside over the sessions periodically thereby infusing spirituality into a professional environment. You are indeed an Amazon: a great woman, a great leader, a coach and mentor. You took FITC to a higher level of international standing and made FITC a great place to work. The numerous awards speak for you and your legacy cannot be forgotten.

Bunmi Balogun
2011/2012 Mason Fellow; MC/MPA Candidate; Harvard Kennedy School of Governance

Lucy is unassumingly brilliant, with an engaging personality. She has consummate expertise and is passionate about strategic business development. Articulate and well read, she is an astute manager always exceeding set targets. I recommend her unreservedly.

Mr. Toyosi Bello
Former Staff of FITC; 2009 – 2016

FITC became one of the best places to work during Dr. Lucy Newman’s tenure, with her exemplary leadership style and good industry knowledge. She introduced policies and creative recommendations that brought about process improvements and employee satisfaction company-wide. As a matter of fact, FITC became more visible in its service offerings to deliver its core mandate within and beyond Nigeria during her tenure at FITC.

As a former FITC staff, I know Dr. Lucy Newman to be a good listener who gives prompt feedback to everyone. Her turnaround time to respond to deliverables was top notch.  Her open door policy was also commendable which ultimately made FITC staff to see themselves as one big family. Her good sense of humor also spices up the FITC atmosphere with love and compassion. She is very keen at inspiring and developing people to succeed. This is evident with the way FITC had transitioned over the years.  Dr. Lucy Newman also delights in taking responsibility and never blames others. She is a leader that leads by example and also committed to giving her best at all time.

Dr. Lucy Newman is focused and passionate about people’s achievements. She does not play favourites and treats everyone equally. The introduction of a transparent performance management system by her was widely embraced by the employees. Her contribution to the growth and development of FITC was highly impeccable. I wish her good luck in all her future endeavours.

Mrs Abosede Ologbosere
Former staff of FITC; 2006 – 2017

Hmmm!! Dr. Lucy Newman, a woman of excellence and pedigree. I am very proud to have worked with this woman of many paths.

I joined FITC in 2006, as an Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, a position I held for three years before she took over the mantle of leadership as the Managing Director/CEO.  Her leadership style is indeed transformational as the beginning of her tenure in FITC marked the beginning of a new journey in my career.

Some months after she assumed office, Dr. Newman decided to scrap all secretarial positions after a thorough Personal Profile Assessment was done for every staff and I was moved to the training department (My best Job Fit). That move was a very big leap for me in my career. I remember that very day she called me and said “Abosede! You have managed three executives, it is time for you to take up the topic Managing Your Boss and start leading discussions on it”. That was the beginning of facilitation for me and it was a remarkable experience. By the time I left FITC, I had facilitated on many programmes, helped developed training curriculums for some banks and participated in several consulting assignments, just because she saw that potential and gave me the opportunity to explore.

Dr. Newman means different things to different people, but to me, she is an Amazon! A Performance Improvement Specialist per excellence!

Mejeroh John Obada
Independent Consultant

Lucy and I worked in the same team at PricewwaterhouseCoopers Nigeria and I have been quite taken with her diligence, amiable personality and management style. She is always willing to share information and makes a point of arriving at decisions by consensus. She is an accomplished individual with deep insight in and a passion for her solution area”.

Mrs Abimbola Jimi-Adebakin, CPT
Former FITC Head of Consulting; 2007 – 2015

Dr Newman came in at the best time in my life. Her style of leadership was not at first palatable, but she won me over doubtless. Her penchant for transparency, over just disclosure…the two being often confused to mean the same by many…but not quite. That has endeared me to her for life. She makes it safe to fail/fall! Any leader that can get staff to willingly “confess” mess-ups and give you room to address it, that leader has my accolades! Dr Newman has my accolades.

She has changed the game for FITC. Her drive was to build strength and structure, giving hope and strength to many and ensuring we mind the major things. Did she perform perfectly? Certainly not. But she scores a high A+ any day, anytime! She shared her life with us and gave me a clear example of authentic leadership to help in my own journey! So many of us actually.

I wish her so much more for the future. Not sure she will still retire and “put up her feet” as she once shared with me, because I know we have a true and tested nation-builder here. May Nigeria produce many more like her.

Kudos, my mentor. You have run a highly commendable race ma’am.