By The Executives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State chapter and coordinators across the 57 LGs/LCDAs in the state, on Tuesday, visited the Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL) situated in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
The delegation was led by the State Chairman, Comrade Lekan Biliamin Oba. The youth leaders numbering about fifty (50) who visited the Tech Talent class at SAIL were stunned by the sprawling facility and world class faculty that were teaching young people software engineering, coding and others.
They commended the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Tokunbo Abiru for establishing such a centre that will upskill youths in digital skills and entrepreneurship.
After the class visit, they were driven to the SAIL permanent site that is under construction in Ikorodu. The built-for-purpose permanent site will be ready anytime soon, according to a statement issued by Abiru’s media aide, Enitan Olukotun on Wednesday.
Deji Abisola, the hub manager for SAIL, intimated the visitors on the journey that led to the creation of SAIL. He said the Senator’s team and the technical partner, Co-creation Hub conducted Human Centered Design study across the district before the adoption of the 5-pilot programmes, namely; Tech Talent Development, Business 101 for Creatives and Artisans, Lagos East Teachers Fellowship, Start-up Accelerator for Businesses and Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for Secondary School Students.
Abisola explained that participants have developed mind blowing solutions on waste management among others. According to him, even teenagers in STEM class had also developed solutions and devices that would solve certain societal problems.
Biliamin-Oba, who acknowledged the unwavering support of Senator Abiru for the NYCN in Lagos State, said the lawmaker is doing a great service to the young people by aligning them with the global realities of digital innovation.
In his words, “We are extremely glad to be here to witness this great initiative first hand. Senator Abiru has demonstrated capacity as a visionary leader by setting up SAIL. The truth is that the currency of our time is knowledge. So, Okadas (commercial motorcycles), keke Maruwa (tricycles) are not the only answer. This (SAIL) is a sustainable and dignified means of lasting empowerment.
“For instance, Lagos State Government is talking about Smart City for Lagos, to be an effective part of it and to harness the opportunities that the smart city will avail, there is a need for young people to be trained in digital skills.
“This man (Senator Abiru) is doing a lot for the youth constituency. He gives us support regularly. The Lagos Youth Leaders Retreat in Ikorodu which started on Monday, the Senator supported us.”
