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Sanwo-Olu Commissions SAIL Innovation Lab; Shettima Commends Senator Abiru, Wife
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The Board of Trustees, SAIL Foundation, has officially launched the SAIL Innovation Lab facility in Ikorodu, Lagos State on Friday. The facility, which provides in-demand tech skills to motivated youths within the senatorial district, is an initiative by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru and his wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru.
In attendance at the official commissioning of the facility were prominent personalities including His Excellency, the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima; His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu; members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC); some members of the Lagos State Executive Council; royal fathers ; community leaders, as well as corporate and technical partners. Selected participants from previous cohorts of the programmes offered at the lab were also present to witness the commissioning.
The Vice President-elect who had earlier visited before the arrival of Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his goodwill remarks, commended Senator Abiru and his wife, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, who is also Co-founder, for the initiative and expressed his confidence in the huge success stories that the innovation lab will birth in the coming days.
Senator Shettima said, “ I was overwhelmed with what I saw. It is a world class facility, erected within the community for the betterment of the community people which is the hallmark of leadership, the epitome of trailblazing service to humanity. I want to commend Senator Abiru and his wife”.
Delivering his keynote address, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to the entire Abiru family for carrying on with the legacy of service of their late patriarch, Senator (Honourable Justice) Mubasheer Akanbi Abiru.
Commending the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in scaling up the impacts of initiatives like the SAIL Innovation Lab, Governor Sanwo-Olu also went further to convey the commitment of his administration to ensure that Lagos State continues to set the pace in the tech space in Nigeria and on the continent.
Respected figures in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem commended the vision of SAIL founders. They averred that the SAIL Innovation Lab holds great prospects for sustainable empowerment of young people in the Lagos East Senatorial District and beyond. Dr Bosun Tijani, Co-founder of Co-Creation Hub, and a Trustee of SAIL Foundation, the owners of the lab, expressed confidence in the success of the SAIL Innovation Lab.
He 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. There are numerous people doing amazing things. It is what these people are doing that will drive innovation in our community. That is why the SAIL Innovation Lab is special. Young people in Lagos East Senatorial District will start to build solutions . The Fourth Industrial revolution is here. The future we are looking up to is already being controlled by technology. We have to participate and if not, it will be second level colonisation”.
Microsoft Country Manager, Ms Ola Williams was thrilled by the passion the Distinguished Senator has for young people. He and his wife, through SAIL, have provided a platform for enduring and sustainable development. She revealed that Microsoft was willing to synergize with the SAIL for greater impact.
Meta (Facebook) Head of Public Policy in Nigeria, Adaora Oshodi-Ikenze, described SAIL Innovation Lab facility as worldclass. She said the facility and the quality of faculty can stand shoulder to shoulder with any Innovation Lab in the world.
Managing Director, Bank of Industries, Mr Olukayode Pitan said the SAIL Innovation Lab demonstrates Senator Abiru’s passion for youth development and capacity building. He added that the Innovation Lab will impact greatly on the people of Lagos East Senatorial District.
The SAIL Innovation Lab was set-up in 2021 in partnership with Co-Creation Hub. Since inception, over 490 participants have benefitted from the several programmes in-person, while over 2,000 have participated in the online programmes. The innovation lab, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, is managed 100% by Co-Creation Hub, one of the biggest innovation hubs in Africa, and highly-trained facilitators who deliver the wide range of programmes the facility offers.
Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, Co-founder of the innovation lab, noted that the innovation lab was the first of its kind in the Lagos East Senatorial District and encouraged the attendees to “revel in the fact that all of us here are making history together.”
The programmes currently offered include Tech Talent Development Programme; STEM for Senior Secondary School Students; Lagos East Teachers Fellowship; Start-Up Accelerator; and Community Events and Ecosystem Engagements. In June 2023, the Innovation Lab is starting training in Data Science for Society. The call for application is already open to interested applicants.
Speaking on the vision behind the SAIL Innovation Lab and why it needed to be done, Senator Abiru: “Many years ago, it was enough to go to school and train to be a professional in a particular field – law, accounting, broadcasting, engineering, medicine and other disciplines. However, the realities of today have completely changed…the illiterate of today, not the future, would not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot speak the new language of the world.
“The new language of the world is tech – this is why the setting up of the SAIL Innovation Lab became necessary. It is not a project of the future. It is a project of today; one that needed to be done. Tech is the way and it was important to provide a platform for our ingenious youth in this district.“ Speaking further, he raised that the idea was to “deepen the acceptance of tech innovation in the Lagos East Senatorial District, using a human-centred approach. ”
The siting of the permanent location of the SAIL Innovation Lab was made possible by the support of the members of the Abiru family who agreed to dedicate their family home for this purpose. This is in continuation of the legacy of their late patriarch, Senator (Honourable Justice) Mubasheeru Akanbi Abiru, a distinguished jurist and prominent son of Lagos state.
The SAIL Innovation Centre will continue to promote support for youths in the Lagos East Senatorial District, making a difference with the power that digital innovations give.
For further information on the commissioning of the SAIL or the lab’s various programmes, please visit https://www.sailab.ng or contact any of the SAIL Innovation Lab.
*About SAIL Innovation Lab*
SAIL is an innovation hub founded by SAIL Foundation and the Trustees are Mr. Saheed Alao, Ms Fadekemi Abiru and Dr. Bosun Tijani.
The five (5) major programmes of SAIL reach across the value chain to develop tech talents:
Tech Talent Development Programme: Cultivates tech expertise and entrepreneurial skills among participants, turning complete novices into full-stack junior developers in just 6 months.
STEM for Senior Secondary School Students: Fosters interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Lagos East Teachers Fellowship: Improves educators’ capacity to promote innovation and excellence in teaching through Inquiry-Based Learning approaches to impart knowledge.
Start-Up Accelerator: Supports start-ups through mentorship and resources to scale their businesses.
Data Science for Society for those who are interested in Data Science for solving societal and community issues.
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BREAKING: Court Puts Off El-Rufai’s Bail Hearing, Sets New Date
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The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, till Wednesday.
The adjournment followed proceedings that took place under tight security, reflecting heightened public interest in the high-profile corruption trial.
Counsel for the ex-governor, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the development shortly after the session but declined to give details.
“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he said.
Shortly after the court rose, El-Rufai was escorted out of the premises by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in a white Hilux vehicle.
Earlier, the former governor had returned to court amid heavy security for the continuation of proceedings on his bail request.
The security arrangement mirrored the situation during his arraignment last week when he was first docked before the court.
El-Rufai is standing trial before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.
He was brought to court after spending over a month in detention, a development that has continued to draw widespread attention across the country.
The court had earlier fixed March 31, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the bail request.
However, the anti-graft agency had on March 27, 2026, released him on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.
In a related development, the former governor was earlier on Tuesday arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges.
At the State High Court, he was docked alongside one Amadu Sule on allegations ranging from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.
The charges, also filed by the anti-corruption commission, are separate from those before the Federal High Court.
After the proceedings at the State High Court, the commission moved El-Rufai to the Federal High Court within the same premises for continuation of proceedings.
With the adjournment, the hearing of the bail application is expected to resume on Wednesday.
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Araraume Felicitates President Tinubu on his birthday. Hails his Reform Agenda and National Milestones
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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising the President’s leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the direction of the country since he assumed office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described President Tinubu as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that the President’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long term national development.
Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long‑standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.
He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.
Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long term vision for a more productive Nigeria.
The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programs aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.
On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised President Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognize the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”
He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”
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Araraume Salutes Tinubu’s Vision, Lists Key Achievements on Birthday
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising his leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the country’s direction since he assumed office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described the President as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that Tinubu’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.
Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long-standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.
He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.
Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long-term vision for a more productive Nigeria.
The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programmes aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.
On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognise the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation-building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”
He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”
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