By Ever since Tokunbo Abiru was sworn in as the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, on December 15, 2020, the idea of what representation entails has never been the same. That the Ikorodu-born accomplished banker came forward to offer himself in service to his people was quite instructive. His well-thought campaign had focused on people-inclined issues such as human capacity development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, strengthening small and medium scale businesses (SMEs), among others. Without any shadow of a doubt, he had the best plan for Lagos East.
Judging by the lawmaker’s remarkable accomplishments in the last 396 days, there is no gainsaying that the people of Lagos East made the best decision to elect Abiru as their representative in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
Abiru, whose credentials and professional experience are largely admirable, immediately swung into action upon assumption of office, knowing that the business of legislation and representation is no joke. Knowing that he became a Senator at a time the nation was grappling with the attendant effects of the pandemic on her economy, the ever-responsive Tokunbo Abiru who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, announced the Covid-19 Financial Assistance for residents of Lagos East Senatorial District. The monthly scheme has reached out to over 2,500 families since its inception in January 2021.
In fulfilment of his campaign promise to the young people of Lagos East, Abiru launched an annual bursary award scheme for brilliant indigent students in tertiary institutions. The 2021 edition disbursed N50,000 each to 600 beneficiaries.
As someone who understands the role of SMEs in the economic growth of developing countries like Nigeria, the erudite lawmaker, in partnership with Fate Foundation, organised a business clinic for 1000 micro, small and medium enterprises in Lagos East where he launched a N100 million soft loan support for trained MSMEs.
In areas of constituency projects, Abiru has facilitated numerous projects that cut across the length and breadth of Lagos East. Some of these projects include but are not limited to: the construction of a 40-bed hospital at Mascara Health Centre, Kosofe LGA; the construction of a block of classrooms at Ajelogo Primary School, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA; the construction of blocks of twenty-four classrooms equipped with modern instructional facilities, 16 toilets with solar-powered borehole, Ikorodu LGA; 600 units of solar-powered street lights in Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu North LCDA; the construction of 40-bed Hospital in LASPOTECH, Ikorodu North LCDA; the construction of a 960-spectator capacity mini-stadium with two-pavilions, a basketball and volleyball courts in Epe LGA; the remodelling of Oluwo Fish with lockup shops, open sheds and 48 toilets in Epe LGA; the construction of 2 blocks of 6 classrooms at RCM Primary School, Iwerekun, Ibeju-Lekki LCDA; and the construction of 40-Bed Health Facility in Isiu, Ikorodu North LCDA.
Not forgetting his primary responsibility as a lawmaker, Abiru has, on a number of occasions, stood up on the floor of the Senate to raise important issues that affect his constituents. When the deplorable state of the Ikorodu/Sagamu road and Ikorodu/Itokin/Epe road became a major source of worry to road users, the pragmatic lawmaker moved a motion, urging the federal government to intervene. The two critical roads are currently under construction. He also sponsored a bill titled ‘The Copyright Act Repeal And Re-enactment Bill, 2021’ which seeks to provide stronger protections for the intellectual works of content creators and other intellectual property owners. When finally passed into law, the bill will replace the extant Copyright Act Cap C28 LFN 2004.
These and many more to come are testimonies to how Distinguished Senator Tokunbo Abiru is changing the face of representation in Lagos East. Without mincing words, Abiru is doing good!
