72 secondary school students in Ikorodu division graduated from the IT Launchpad Cohort 1 programme on Saturday, September 3, 2023. The programme was organized by the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), in partnership with ZKT West Africa.
The graduation ceremony was attended by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Distinguished Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA. Senator Abiru, who is the Co-founder of the SAIL Innovation Lab, the first of its kind Innovation hub in Lagos East Senatorial District, gave opportunity to the top three outstanding students to be onboarded into the STEM training programme at the SAIL Innovation Lab.
In his remarks, Senator Abiru admonished the students to strive for excellence in their academic pursuit and every aspect of life. He said that for success to be achieved, it takes diligence, resilience, and competitiveness.
The IDRDG Chairman, Distinguished Senator Adeseye Kingsley Ogunlewe, in his address commended Senator Abiru for his outstanding representation and for his contributions to the growth and development of Ikorodu division, and other LGAs under the district.
Mr Afolabi Abiodun, the US-based Ikorodu Indigene, is the Chief Executive Officer of ZKT West Africa, the organization that facilitated the training programme for the students. Abiodun who joined the graduation ceremony virtually via Zoom, commended Senator Abiru for providing a platform for young people to break into massive opportunities in the fourth industrial age.
The IT expert said he decided to provide the training programme as a launchpad into the field of Information Technology. He recalled that a similar opportunity was provided for him many years back. Abiodun noted that from that opportunity, despite his humble background, he gained inroad into the global marketplace, including a fellowship programme at the prestigious Stanford University, United States of America.
He said he has heard and read about the impact of SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu and beyond. Abiodun noted that the launch pad that was provided to him many years, is similar to what Senator Abiru has provided through the SAIL Innovation Lab.
Professor Ajibola Saheed, Centre Director, National Open University of Nigeria(NOUN), Ikorodu Model Study Centre, thanked the IDRDG, ZKT West Africa and Senator Abiru for their support for the students and other young people in the division.
Professor Michael O. Ajetunmobi, an eminent retired Professor of Mathematics, who is also the Vice-Chairman, IDRDG, thanked Senator Abiru for honouring IDRDG with his presence and the support he has pledged for the students.
Other dignitaries in attendance include; Dr. Abidoun Fatai-Abatan, Mr Deji Abisola, Consultant to Senator Abiru on SAIL Innovation Lab, Mr Yusuf Jubril, Managing Director, ZKT West Africa, Mr Abiodun Kazeem, Managing Director, SB Telecoms and Devices.
