In a rare display of capacity, the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA presented outstanding scorecard of his stewardship in the last 14 months in the saddle.
Addressing newsmen at his constituency office in Ikorodu on Saturday, Abiru, a retired bank Chief Executive and former Commissioner of Finance on Lagos State said he has been championing life transforming programmes that have direct impact on the lives of the larger populace of the Lagos East Senatorial District.
He 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.
“In fulfilment of our legislative agenda, I have sponsored many Bills and motions which cover 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”.
The Senator said he has sponsored twelve (12) Bills and three (3) motions on the floor of the Senate.
He disclosed that shortly after he was sworn in as the Senator of the Federal Republic, he commissioned a NEEd ASSESSMENT to ascertain the most pressing needs of the people.
Abiru added that the findings guided his interventions and programmes thus far. He said that not fewer than 2500 vulnerable residents of Lagos East are benefiting from his COVID-19 Financial Assistance Scheme every month.
He continued, “In a deliberate move at spreading prosperity across the Lagos East Senatorial District, my office in partnership with The Fate Foundation and Chartered Standard Foundation organized a Business Workshop/Clinic for 1000 MSMEs across the Senatorial district.
“The training which attracted Executive Leadership of business-related regulatory agencies and partners like; BOI, SMEDAN, CAC, LIRS, NAFDAC and LSETF greatly enhanced the capacity of MSMEs in the district.
“In addressing the dearth of knowledge which is one of the major reasons why MSMEs fail, a knowledge pack containing seven valuable books covering areas like; Financial Management, Human Capital, Legal, Strategy, Marketing and Communication, Digital Technology and Tax Management authored by reputable corporations including Deloitte, KPMG, Verraki among others were given free of charge to all trainees.
“Participants also received Enterprise Development Certificates after the training.
“I went further to announce a N100Million (One Hundred Million Naira) Constituency Intervention Revolving Loan at a very low concessional 6% interest rate per annum, which will be topped by additional N100 Million from the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund(LSETF) has also graciously pledged to add N100Million totaling N300Million”.
The #DoingGood Senator also reeled out interventions and other people-oriented projects he had delivered within the period.
He 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.
“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 have also been delivered at Ajelogo Primary School. An ICT centre has also been facilitated at the Igbobi Junior High School, Somolu Lagos.
“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 Agboiyi Ketu LCDA was also provided to the people. Likewise, another 40-bed is under construction at Isiu, Ikorodu North LCDA.
“In Epe, a 960-spectator capacity mini stadium was also facilitated for the benefit of people, especially the youth. 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, Ifeloju Abule Eko,Ijede Ikorodu, Sekungba CDA ikosi Ejirin, Isale Agoro CDA, Epe LGA, Ideraoluwa CDA, Eredo LGA and Olugayan CDA, Imota.
“In the same manner, 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.
“Over Four Thousand (4,000) young people across the Lagos East Senatorial District applied for the SAIL programmes. Currently, over One Hundred Fifty (150) students are participating in the Five (5) Pilot Programmes at the SAIL Centre in Ikorodu while over One Thousand (1000) eligible applicants will be trained online”.