By Nurudeen Adebayo
The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Tokunbo Abiru has donated a technology incubation centre to the people of Ikorodu and its environs.
The centre which is called Senator Abiru Innovation Centre (SAIL) was commissioned by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The hub, meant to train young people in the latest technological innovations, was the brainchild of Senator Tokunbo in partnership with Co-Creation Nigeria.
Abiru said he had been nursing the idea when he was in the banking sector before he joined politics.
He said when he started his career at Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, the bank started the idea of real-time online banking.
He said he was worried as a Managing Director of Skye Bank when they did a technology upgrade and discovered that most of their staff could not cope with the new technology.
He added that while people might have a certificate, skill is very important.
“We have a global economic meltdown but there are jobs out there but only that many don’t have the skills to do these jobs. That is where SAIL Innovation Laboratory comes in,” Abiru stated.
“And I can tell you that those that will pass through this hub and are passing through it, it will be free of charge. That is our own contribution to the society. And they will be here for six months,” he added.
In his remark, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Co-Creation Nigeria, said: “It is our young people that drive innovation and growth.
“We have to engage and empower them to be able to do this driving. Numerous people are doing amazing things.
“It is what these people are doing that will drive innovation in our community. That is why SAIL Innovation Laboratory is special. Young people in Ikorodu will start to build solutions on Ikorodu.”
