Despite assuming office as the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District barely more than one year ago, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, FCA, has indeed lived up to his campaign promise of “doing good to a greater number of his people” through his sterling performance and achievements.
The former bank executive has practically brought his experience and expertise from the corporate sector to bear on his lawmaking duty, particularly as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industries, while he has also impacted massively on different sections of his constituents back home in Lagos East through his numerous people-oriented and tech-based programmes which cut across education, health, sports, business development and many more.
Abiru, whose representation and performance have received tremendous commendations across Lagos East and beyond, was elected in a bye-election after the death of former Senator Adebayo Osinowo in 2020.
On Saturday, March 19, 2022, he addressed editors and journalists from various news medium across the country at his constituency office in Ikorodu to intimate his constituents on what he has done with the mandate given to him in 14 months ago.
He told the media practitioners that he has sponsored 14 Bills and four Motions in the course of his legislative duty, while adding that he has also impacted on every part of Lagos East Senatorial District through his numerous programmes and projects.
He added that the Senate Committee on Industries which he chairs, is now effectively conducting its oversight function and ensuring that necessary importance is attached to industrialization because of its multiple effects on the economy.
“Dear esteemed editors, it gladdens my heart to welcome you to this parley to give a record of my stewardship in the last 14 months in the saddle as the Senator representing the good people of the Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly”, the Senator said.
“Recall that I was sworn-in on the 15th December 2020, as the Senator of the Federal Republic. I came in at a critical period in the nation’s history. It was a time we were slowly coming out of recession, which was also worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has indeed been a trying period for many households and the nation at large. What we, as the Trustees of the Peoples’ sacred mandate, have tried to do, is to deliberately and continuously keep the hope of the people alive by working assiduously to deliver on the promises I made to our esteemed constituents during the 2020 Lagos East Senatorial By-election electioneering campaign.
Speaking on his primary duty as a lawmaker, Abiru said that he has offered his constituents and Nigerians by extension, effective representation with his bills and motions which, according to him, has brought about effective management in governance.
“In fulfillment of our legislative agenda, I have sponsored many Bills and Motions which covered different sectors including banking and financial services, the economy, copyright, health, infrastructure and the provision of the legal framework for the reduction of the cost of governance. We have also endeavoured to offer our possible best towards providing effective representation for our people”, he said.
“The primary function of a lawmaker is to make laws. The expansion of government services and functions has contributed to an endless procession of ideas for laws. During the campaigns and at the commencement of my tenure in the Senate, I set a legislative agenda highlighting my core legislative interests.
“The Bills and Motions in focus for my legislative tenure which are already before the Senate for consideration and passage include the following: Thirteen (13) Bills and Four (4) motions: Copyright Act repeal and re-enactment Bill, 2021 (read the second time), Dishonored Cheques Act Cap D11 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2021 (read the first time), Federal High Court Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 (read the first time) and The Federal Polytechnic Epe (Establishment, etc) Bill 2021.
Also, “The Utilities Charges Commission Act (Repeal) Bill, 2021, The Control of Delegated Legislation (Control and Procedure) Bill, 2021, The National Boundary Commission, Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021, The National Economic Intelligence Committee (establishment, etc) Act (Repeal) Bill, 2021 and The National Economic Reconstruction Fund Act (Repeal) Bill, 2021.
Others are, “The National Productivity Centre Act (Repeal) Bill, 2021, The National Metallurgical Development Centre Act (Repeal) Bill, 2021 and The Energy Commission of Nigeria Act (Repeal) Bill, 2021”.
The four Motions moved by the Senator are: Motion on the ban of crypto currency in Nigeria and Motion on the urgent need for the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Shagamu and Ikorodu-Itoikin-Epe roads to further bridge the infrastructural gap and enhance economic growth in Nigeria.
Other two are: Motion on the need to position Nigeria and Nigerian businesses for continental growth through the African continental free trade zone (Afcftz).
According to Abiru, “All the bills have been read the first time on the floor of the Senate while the Copyright Act (repeal and re-enactment) Bill, 2021 has been read the second time with the public hearing concluded and is awaiting presentation of the report on the Bill by the Committee.
“Also, sequel to motion I moved calling on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the Ikorodu/Sagamu Road and Ikorodu/Itoikin/Epe Epe Road, our intervention with necessary follow-up and leveraging on our network has yielded positive outcomes as the Federal Government has included the funding of Ikorodu-Shagamu, in the SUKUK Financing program and the Ikorodu-Itoikin in the 2022 budget”, Sen. Abiru said.
Senator Abiru said that he has been discharging its representative duty effectively and pledged to provide more to the people.
“As a member of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one of my primary responsibilities in the National Assembly is that of effective representation.
“In this light, every matter that concerns my constituency has received its deserved and prompt attention and has always been treated as such, like the petition I recently presented on the floor of the Senate on behalf of the Magodo Residents Association over the invasion of the estate by security agents from the Office of the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation”, he said.
“My commitment to our people, and indeed Lagos State, is that I will continue to provide effective representation.
“I am of the firm belief that holders of political positions are in and hold a position of trust and must, therefore, fulfill the people’s aspirations. In the course of my campaigns and interaction with our people, I made promises as to my legislative agenda and I have within the limits of this short time tried to fulfil them.
Concerning his oversight function, Abiru said:
“I have within this period brought to bear my background and experience in the discharge of my responsibilities as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industries.
“Already, the Committee’s intervention is yielding fruits as the importance of industries to national development as a driver of industrialization through creation of jobs, generation of wealth, diversification of the economy, import substitution and enhancement of exports among others, is gaining prominence in our national life and receiving attention.
“I am committed to working assiduously to collaborate with the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly, Ministries, Departments, Parastatals and Agencies under the purview of the Committee to continue to sustain our journey of transformation and attain our goals of industrialization”, he said.
In meeting the needs of his constituents, Senator Abiru said that he commissioned an extensive NEEDS ASSESSMENT survey to ascertain the most pressing challenges facing respective communities under his district.
“The scientific study supervised by competent researchers revealed startling and disturbing facts about the state of public infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions of our people at the grassroots”, he said.
“Based on the findings of the NEEDS ASSESSMENT, in January 2021, I kicked off the COVID-19 Relief Scheme for the vulnerable people in the Lagos East Senatorial district and it has been running since then.
“The beneficiaries include widows, women, unemployed youths, aged and people with physical disabilities drawn from the 98 wards in the 16 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the District. As of today, we have about 2,500 vulnerable members of the society being catered for.
In the area of education, the Senator said:“In Ikorodu Central, Aga Primary School located in Borokini area, was overstretched due to high enrolment of pupils. The four classrooms in the schools had become distressed and inadequate. I facilitated four blocks of 24 classrooms equipped with complements of furniture and 16 toilets and Solar-Powered Borehole. The infrastructure has greatly improved learning outcomes in the school”, he said.
“In Ibeju-Lekki, two blocks of 6 classrooms have been completed at RCM Primary School, Iwerekun, Ibeju-Lekki. In Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, 1 block of 3 classrooms has also been delivered at Ajelogo Primary School. An ICT centre has also been facilitated at the Igbobi Junior High School, Somolu Lagos.
In providing his constituents quality health services, Abiru said: “The yearnings for health facilities by esteemed constituents were also heeded. I facilitated the construction of a 40-bed Health facility and Dental Centre at the Ikorodu Campus of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), now known as the Lagos State University of Science and Technology. A 200-solar-powered street lights were attracted to the institution.
“In the same manner, another 30-Bed Health facility at Mascara Health Centre in Agboyi Ketu LCDA was also provided to the people. Likewise, another 40-bed is under construction at Isiu in Ikorodu North LCDA.
In other parts of the Lagos East Senatorial District, the Senator said:
“In Epe, a 960-spectator capacity mini stadium was also facilitated for the benefit of people, especially the youths. The two-pavilion sport facility is equipped with Basketball and Volleyball courts, and is almost ready for commissioning.
“Equally, the popular Oluwo Fish Market in Epe has also been remodeled. I have rehabilitated the entire market and increased the number of shops from 259 to 319 comprising of lock-up shops, open sheds and 48 toilets.
“To further empower businesses to thrive through the creation of enabling environment, we facilitated the supply and installation of transformers in several locations in the District including: Ito Progressive CDA, Ito Isiu, Igbopa Ifesowopo CDA, Ijede, Ire Ifelodun CDA, Igbogbo-Bayeku, Magodo Community CDA, Oke Ota Ona, Ikorodu, Ikorodu GRA 2, Ibeshe Igbogbo-Bayeku and Ifeloju Abule Eko, ljede in Ikorodu division.
Other benefitting communities of transformers facilitated by Senator Abiru are Sekungba CDA Ikosi Ejirin, Isale Agoro CDA, Epe LGA, Idera-Oluwa CDA, Eredo LGA and Olugayan CDA, Imota, Idegun CDA, Imota, Gbaga Olorunda CDA, Adamo (Ikorodu North), Agura Central Gberigbe ( Ikorodu North), Garden Estate (Agboyi Ketu LCDA) and Agunbiade CDA ( Somolu).
While stating that he has been able to facilitate projects worth over one billion naira for his district, Senator Abiru said that he is working with the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that his people get developmental projects in 2022.
“For this year 2022, through collaboration with the leadership of the Senate, the National Assembly, Ministries, Departments, Parastatals and Agencies, we are determined to facilitate people-oriented projects in our other LGAs/LCDAs in the areas of; Health, Education and other required infrastructure”, the Senator assure
…Establishes innovation LAB to train, empower youths
In further demonstration of his commitment to offer greater good to his constituents by providing them with relevant opportunities with the aim of empowering and giving them a new lease of life, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, FCA, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industries and representative of the Lagos East Senatorial District in the upper Chamber of the National Assembly, has established an innovation laboratory to equip the youths with technological knowledge.
The laudable initiative, which is known as Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL), is part of the performing lawmaker’s youth and educational development efforts and was set up in partnership with a technology company, the Co- creation Hub ( Cc-HUB), to build the capacities of the youths in his district and make them employable as well as entrepreneurs.
A total of five programmes are currently being offered participants who are said to be indigent students selected across the Lagos East Senatorial District.
The programmes are: Lagos East Teachers’ Fellowship, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Tech Talent Development, Business 101 for Artisans and Creatives and Startup Accelerator for Businesses.
According to report, over 4,000 applicants applied for the programmes but a total of 150 (with minimum of 30 participants for each programme) were admitted for the first phase after a carefully conducted selection process which involved online application and interview. While over 1000 eligible participants who could not get into classes would be trained online, more would be admitted in subsequent phases after the pilot phase.
The programmes, which are said to hold between Monday and Saturday weekly and involves both physical and online classes, would run for 3 to 6 months
It was also gathered that the programmes, particularly the Tech Talent and STEM are very expensive and that the Senator spent several millions of naira on each of the participants partaking in the two programmes.
While speaking in an interview during a visit by Oriwu Sun to the lnnovation Lab, Senator Abiru said that he had initiated the centre to train the youths and equip them with relevant technological and innovative skills to enable them fit into the current global economy.
He also disclosed that the centre, currently located in his Ikorodu Constituency Office, would soon be moved to a permanent location currently under construction in Ikorodu.
“I have set up a Community Innovation Space known as Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL), in partnership with a renowned technology and Social Enterprise company, The Co-creation Hub (Cc-HUB), in Lagos to train youths in the senatorial district on relevant digital and innovation skills, and build the best entrepreneurs that can compete in the ever-dynamic global economy.
“The Center is currently situated in Ikorodu within our district, starting from the constituency office but planning to move into a bigger facility by July 2022. Five (5) pilot programmes have been put together with a view to proffer solutions to some of the challenges identified and many of our youths have started applying for opportunities to participate in the programmes”.
He also said that participants are being offered lunch and transport fares back to their respective homes at the end of every class, to encourage them to put in their best in the training.
According to him, participants who give their best during the training will get job placement after completion of the programme.
On the selection process for participants, the former banker explained that the task was contracted out to an independent firm with the instruction that only indigent applicants should be selected and that the selection process must cover the entire Lagos East Senatorial District.
Providing details on the five programmes being offered in the SAIL initiative, Senator Abiru said:
“Lagos East Teachers’ Fellowship, is a programme aimed at equipping Educators with new skills that would lead to better learning outcomes. It is for Teachers who are interested in inquiry-based learning, and want to use technology in their classrooms to the benefit of their students.
“Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education for Senior Secondary School Students, is a programme designed to introduce students between the ages of 13-18 years to the concept of physical computing.
“Business 101 for Artisans and Creatives, which is a programme designed for creative startups in the fashion, crafts, or design sector, is aimed at upscaling the approach to business in a fast-evolving world. This training will help beneficiaries’ to grasp better understanding on how to use technology to improve their businesses.
“Tech Talent Development is aimed at identifying young people who are interested in a career in technology. Selected candidates will be taken through a learning plan that will transform them from complete novice to entry level software engineers in 6 months. At the end of the training programme, they will be fully qualified for an entry level job or internship”.
“Startup Accelerator for Businesses is for young people who have business ideas that can be amplified by technology. The aim is to accelerate their growth with hands-on business support. For those who have a prototype, we will help them with product-market fit as well as build their capacity to be able to attract funding and support for their business. For those who don’t have a prototype yet, we will support them to develop their ideas for the testing phase”.
Meanwhile, several notable personalities who have visited the Innovation Lab have commended Senator Abiru for his huge investment on the youths with the creation of the centre.
Notably among these August visitors to the centre are Princess Orelope Adejoke-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Mrs Anike Adekanye, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District ll.
Also, some top bank executives had also visited the hub to assess the facility, curricular and faculties for possible talent hunting. They were said to be impressed by what they saw and also commended the initiator.
Princess Adefulire, a former Lagos State Deputy Governor and Commissioner, while speaking during her visit, commended Senator Abiru for his exceptional programmes, especially the setting up of the first of its kind tech innovation hub in the Lagos East Senatorial District, and added that the initiative will create lasting socio-economic impact on the lives of participants.
She urged participants to take maximum advantage of the opportunity being offered them through the initiative.
Princess Adefulire said that she was not surprised about the unique leadership style and programmes of Senator Abiru, considering his pedigree in the corporate world where he operated before his foray into politics.
According to her, investment in knowledge is the currency of our time.
“I must first of all thank him (Senator Abiru) for being a mentor to all of you and others outside here”, she said while addressing the participants.
“Investment in knowledge is the best investment we can make in young people like you for you to have a bright future. I want to thank him for setting up this place. It is very unique; it is not a common thing.
“We have different empowerment programmes like distribution of motorcycles, tricycles and even those that are giving out computers carelessly without training people on how to make best use of them. But SAIL is a very excellent Innovation hub that will accelerate real prosperity”, Mrs Orelope – Adefulire said.
“I am sure that in a few years from now, the impact of the investments will start to manifest. The empowerment you have been given is to allow you to explore and rule your world. I believe each and every one of you will rule your world in a positive way that will guarantee a bright future for you”, she charged them.
“You need to apply your mind to what you are being taught. There are no limits from what you can benefit from this training”.
She said that the world has come to terms with the fact that economic, social and other activities can be conducted without physical contact after the COVID 19 pandemic.
“COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world proved to us that there is virtually nothing we cannot do with the smartphone and allied technologies. All over the world, corporations have downsized and many are working from homes because of the enablement of technology.
“Senator Abiru has done his own thing by providing a platform. Don’t take it for granted. It is a lifetime opportunity. With this knowledge, there is nowhere in the world you cannot be hired because the skillsets you are getting here have global relevance”.