The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries and the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA on Sunday in Gbagada, delivered a keynote address at the 10th anniversary of The Black Table Club.

It was a sort of homecoming for Senator Abiru who lived in Gbagada between 1977 and 1994.

He said, “I grew up here with the sentiments of neighbourhood, family ties, sports and social spirits. Even though I am no longer living here, I am still as attached to Gbagada as when I was residing. Aside, Gbagada still falls under my senatorial district, and I enjoyed the support of its residents during my election”.

Members of the Club who warmly received the #DoingGood Senator, listened with rapt attention as the Senator gave stewardship of the mandate entrusted to him in the last 25 months.

Senator Abiru declared that he had delivered on the mandate given to him by the esteemed residents of the Lagos East Senatorial District . He said his assignment is anchored on three major pillars, namely; Legislative role, Empowerment/Facilitations and Endowment.

He said, “Since my election on December 6, 2020, respect for public trust has been my guiding principle, indeed the core value that largely defines my perspective to legislative representation. I daily discharge my duties as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with consciousness that I am holding the office in trust for my constituents, the people of Lagos State and by extension Nigeria at large.

“Bearing this notion in mind from time to time, I have painstakingly pursued people’s aspirations and demands in the last two years with utmost commitment to and with focus on three core pillars – legislation, empowerment and endowment. I will briefly talk about what I have done on each of the pillars since December 15, 2020 when I formally assumed office.

“Under legislation, I have sponsored 13 private member bills; co-sponsored three other bills and moved two motions on issues of national significance. Each of these initiatives was tailored at strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises, revamping our budding creative economy, empowering our youths to operate effectively in the digital environment and creating an enabling environment that supports seamless economic activities and operations.

“The efforts are evident in the reconstruction of Ikorodu-Shagamu and in the planned rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Itokin-Epe road. The recent passage of the Franchising Establishment Bill, 2022 by the Senate, which aims at enhancing national growth, also attests to my effort to create an enabling environment for seamless socio-economic operations”.

On the empowerment/ facilitation pillar, Senator Abiru disclosed that, “I am also committed to diverse empowerment programmes that have benefited over 3,000 constituents in the last 25 months. Under my COVID-19 Financial Relief Scheme alone, I have authorised over N150 million direct credit transfers. This scheme particularly targets the vulnerable in my constituency – widows; persons with special needs; aged; unemployed youth and women. Each of the beneficiaries receives N5,000 direct credit transfers to his or her respective bank account every other month.

“In summary, I have facilitated the construction and delivery of blocks of classrooms in no fewer than 15 public schools across all LGAs in Lagos East. I have also facilitated a fully equipped computer laboratory at Igbobi Junior High School, Somolu; 200 solar street lights at Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu and four blocks of 24 Classrooms and 16 toilets and solar-powered borehole in Aga Primary School in Ikorodu to mention a few.

“I have also facilitated the following socio-economic facilities: 1) three primary health centres in Isiwu, Ikorodu North; Agboyi-Ketu, Lagos State University of Science and Technology; 2) one youth development centre in Epe comprising 960-seating capacity stadium; 3) rebuilding of Oluwo Market in Epe; 4) over 24 transformers have been installed in various communities in this senatorial district”.

He continued, “What I am doing under endowment is perhaps the most ambitious of all my initiatives. It is most ambitious because I have been methodically executing diverse schemes that will not only guarantee economic freedom for our young graduates, but also integrate them into the ranks of active actors that often enable our domestic economy.

“It is on this ground that I set up Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL) to equip our young graduates with employability skills; empower our young entrepreneurs to effectively operate anywhere they find themselves and prepare our teeming youths generally for boundless opportunities that digital economy presents in this age.

“This particular initiative has been yielding impressive results. As of December 2022, over 2,300 youths are undergoing intensive training in their fields of interest. I have also facilitated a N300 million Constituency Intervention Revolving Loan that only attracts 6% interest rate. This was designed to guarantee our young entrepreneurs unfettered access to start-up funds or accelerate the growth of their businesses. In addition, 600 of our students in various tertiary institutions have benefitted from our Annual Bursary Scheme”.

Senator Abiru sought the support and votes of all the club members for himself ,the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and all candidates of the ruling party.

“Next election is just 26 days away from today. As you all know, I am seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This time, I am campaigning on my outstanding records of service. I am also campaigning with the resolve to see to the completion of unfinished tasks that our Leader(Asiwaju Tinubu) started long before now”.

“In Lagos, Distinguished Members, this election is important for all of us as a people. It is obviously not about me alone. It is about one of our illustrious leaders and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Whichever perspective we may want to look at it, Asiwaju needs no introduction being an Architect of modern Lagos.

“Without mincing words, Asiwaju obviously parades confidence, competence and capacity required for accomplishing the task of nation-building. Asiwaju’s rich exposure in the private and public sectors presents cross-sectoral advantages that we all need as a federation to surmount perennial challenges that hold our fatherland down”

It is also about my brother and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is seeking re-election on March 11. The recent inauguration of Imota Rice Mill, Light Rail (Blue Line), Lekki Deep Sea Port and JK Randle Center for Yoruba Culture and History, among others, attests to Mr. Governor’s records of sterling performance.

It is about other candidates standing for the 2023 elections on the platform of the APC across the state. As a ruling political party, we may have our own challenges that the opposition is now using against us. They always point at the economic and security crises we are facing today”, Senator Abiru told TBT members.

Special Guest of Honour, Prof Alexander MacGregor, Oba Elect, Orile Ilawo and TBT Patron, Chief Olusegun Odegbami, MON, TBT Captain, Wakeel Olorunfunmi, TBT Vice Captain, Eddy Abraham commended Senator Abiru for his giant strides and purposeful leadership he is providing in Lagos East Senatorial District.

By Enitan Olukotun

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