Sen. Mukhail Abiru (APC-Lagos-East) has advised youths and students to strive for excellence in their academic pursuit and every aspect of life.
Abiru gave the advice during the graduation ceremony of 72 Secondary school students in Ikorodu division, who successfully completed training on IT Launchpad Cohort 1 program.
This is contained in a statement issued by his Media aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun, in Lagos on Wednesday.
Abiru, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, added that for success to be achieved, it takes diligence, resilience and competitiveness.
“The program was organised by Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), in partnership with ZKT West Africa.
“Three most outstanding students were presented with new laptop computers with free internet for one year for achieving the feat.
“Six month free internet is provided for the first runner up, while the second runner up gets free internet for three months,” he said.
Abiru, the Co-founder of the SAIL Innovation Lab, the first of its kind Innovation hub in Lagos East Senatorial District, also gave opportunity to the top three outstanding students to be onboarded into the STEM training program at the SAIL Innovation Lab.
According to him, all graduating students will always be notified whenever there is a call for applications for programs at the SAIL Innovation Lab.
A former senator, Adeseye Ogunlewe, IDRDG Chairman, commended Abiru for his outstanding representation and contributions to the growth and development of Ikorodu division, and other Local Government Areas under the district.
Also speaking, Mr Afolabi Abiodun, Chief Executive Officer of ZKT West Africa, organizer of the program, commended Abiru for providing a platform for young people to break into massive opportunities in the fourth industrial age.
Abiodun, a US-based Ikorodu Indigene and Information Technology expert, joined the graduation ceremony virtually via zoom.
The IT expert said he decided to provide the training program as a launchpad into the field of Information Technology, while he recalled that a similar opportunity had come his way many years back.
Abiodun, however, noted that in spite of his humble background, he gained inroad into the global market place, including a fellowship program at the prestigious Stanford University, United States of America.
He said he had heard and read about the impact of SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu and beyond.
Abiodun noted that the launchpad that was provided to him many years, is similar to what Abiru had provided through the SAIL Innovation Lab.
Prof. Ajibola Saheed, Centre Director, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Ikorodu Model Study Centre, thanked the IDRDG, ZKT West Africa and Abiru for their support to the young people in the division.
Prof. Michael Ajetunmobi, a retired Professor of Mathematics, who is also the Vice-Chairman, IDRDG, thanked Abiru for honoring IDRDG with his presence and the support he pledged for the students.
