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Tag: Senator Abiru

  • Oyo claims title at 2nd  Senator Abiru Mixed Team Championships

    Oyo claims title at 2nd  Senator Abiru Mixed Team Championships

    Unseeded Oyo State stunned the field to emerge champions at the 2nd Senator Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships, which concluded over the weekend at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

    Led by the dynamic duo of Wasiu Azeez and Halima Hussein, Oyo defied the odds in a tournament featuring 30 teams from Nigeria, Togo, and the Benin Republic.

    Despite being unseeded, Oyo and Bayelsa battled their way to the final, outplaying top-seeded teams such as Lagos, Edo, and Kwara.

    The final, witnessed by the tournament’s financier and sponsor, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, showcased thrilling rallies and dazzling skills that captivated spectators.

    Oyo took an early lead by winning the mixed doubles, but Bayelsa’s Hope Udoaka levelled the score. Azeez then delivered a spirited comeback, overturning a 1-0 deficit to defeat Samuel Boboye 3-1.

    Hussein, alongside her women’s doubles partner Khadijat Okanlawon, sealed the victory by defeating Udoaka and Iyanuoluwa Falana, securing a 3-1 triumph for Oyo.

    In the third-place match, Kwara bounced back from their semifinal loss with a dominant 3-0 win over Lagos Team 2, clinching the bronze medal at the N5.5 million prize money event.

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    Senator Abiru, in his closing remarks, praised the athletes for their outstanding performances and reaffirmed his commitment to the championship’s growth.

     “This tournament has once again shown that when we create the right environment for our youth, talent flourishes, friendships blossom, and excellence thrives. Throughout the championship, we witnessed an abundance of passion, skill, and sportsmanship. Our athletes from across Nigeria and other parts of Africa reminded us of the beauty of competition and the unity that sports can foster,” he said.

    Looking ahead, Abiru promised an even more expansive edition in 2026: “We are already preparing to make the next edition bigger, better, and more inclusive. Our goal is to position the Senator Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships as a premier sporting event in Africa—one that places Lagos East, Lagos State, and Nigeria firmly on the continental sports map.”

    He concluded with a call to action: “As we close this year’s edition, let us carry forward the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and fair play. Let us continue to support and celebrate our young people, for in them lies the promise of a greater tomorrow.”

  • New champions expected as Senator Abiru’s table tennis tourney ends today

    New champions expected as Senator Abiru’s table tennis tourney ends today

    By Daniel Oyekan

    From an initial pool of 30 teams representing Nigeria, Togo, and the Benin Republic, the race for the podium at the 2nd  Senator Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships climax today, November 1, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

    The grand finale will be graced by the tournament sponsor, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, alongside other dignitaries, including the President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa), Wahid Enitan Oshodi.

    As the first mixed team tournament of its kind in Africa, this year’s edition has attracted over 150 players, all vying for a share of the increased ₦5.5 million prize pool—up from ₦4 million last year and in the absence of  the defending champions this year, the battle for the top prize has been fierce.

    At  the press conference to launch the event, Senator Abiru emphasized the tournament’s alignment with his youth development philosophy.

    “Our youth development philosophy goes beyond classrooms and computer labs,” he said.  “The discipline, focus, and teamwork that make great innovators are the same traits that define great athletes.

    “ It was on this belief that we launched the Senator Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships in 2024, the first of its kind in Africa, as a platform to celebrate excellence, inclusion, and community spirit through sports,” he said.

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    A total of 42 matches were played on the opening day, setting the stage for an intense knockout round on Day 2, which determined the finalists.

    Competition Manager Segun Peters praised the quality of play, noting the tournament’s growth and the emergence of new talent:

    He said:  “This year’s tournament has been very impressive. From the group stages to the knockout rounds, the players have been exceptional, with many matches ending 3-2. This reflects a significant improvement in both the quality of play and the calibre of players.”

    Meanwhile, both  President of  ITTF Africa, Mr.  Oshodi and President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Adesoji Tayo,  has praised the bold initiative of Senator Abiru, describing the tournament as first of its kind in Africa.

     “We are grateful to the senator for his commitment to youth development and for keeping his promise to stage this event,” Oshodi said.

    The NTTF President quipped: “In 2024, Nigeria became the first African nation to host this prestigious event. This milestone reflects our country’s readiness and the proactive efforts of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation in preparing for qualification and participation in both the 2025 World Mixed Team Cup in Chengdu and the 2028 Olympics,” he said.

  • Abiru delivers road, PHC, classroom

    Abiru delivers road, PHC, classroom

    Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru has handed over five completed projects he facilitated to the residents of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Residents, community and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), leaders in Igbogbo-Baiyeku, commended Senator Abiru for his exemplary leadership and performance since he got into the saddles as the Senator representing Lagos East.

    The projects that were handed over to the people of the LCDA, through the leadership of the Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, led by Olusesan Mayokun Daini, were: Fully reconstructed 1km Agunfoye Road, equipped with drainage; a newly built Primary Health Centre at Igbe Laara, bringing quality healthcare services closer to residents; Rehabilitation of classrooms at Methodist Primary School, Ibeshe; A new block of classrooms at UAMC Primary School, Eleja, Igbogbo and Renovation of a block of classrooms at Local Government Primary School, Igbe Laara.

    Senator Abiru, who was represented by the former member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, emphasized that the projects reflect his unwavering commitment to people-focused and impactful representation.

    “These interventions are not just about infrastructure. They are about restoring dignity, improving access, and creating opportunity,” the Senator stated.

    The lawmaker urged the community to take full ownership of the facilities, stressing the importance of maintenance and sustainability for future generations. The Senator also called on local leaders to ensure the proper use and management of the newly delivered assets.

    While assuring residents that more developmental projects were in the pipeline, Senator Abiru reaffirmed his focus on initiatives in education, health, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development across the Lagos East Senatorial District.

    The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, notable leaders across Ikorodu division, including the apex leader in Ikorodu, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and the Chairman of Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, inagurated the projects.

    At the commissioning of the Methodist Primary school, Ibeshe, Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, thanked Senator Abiru for providing desired leadership across the district.

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    Lagos State House of Assembly member, Gbolahan Ogunleye, who represented his father, Prince Ogunleye, said the Lagos East was proud of the performance of the Senator.

    The former Head of Service in Lagos State, Otunba Adesegun Ogunlewe, who commissioned one of the blocks of classrooms on behalf of Senator Ogunlewe, and the Odofin of Igbogbo, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya, eulogized Senator Abiru as a silent performer, whose good works are speaking for themselves.

    Also Senator Abiru recently delivered health centres and blocks of classrooms to the residents of  coastal communities in Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    The projects, commissioned and transferred to the leadership of Lekki, include the newly constructed and fully equipped Primary Health Centre in Akodo-Ise and the rehabilitation and upgrade of an existing health centre in Folu community. In addition, rehabilitated and fully furnished classroom blocks at Lepia Primary School and Olomowewe Primary School were also delivered to the local government authority.

    The Epe Division, which includes Ibeju Lekki, Lekki, Eredo, Ikosi Ejirin, and Epe, has been a significant beneficiary of Senator Abiru’s development strides. Projects in the area include modern markets, youth centres, and the ongoing SAIL Innovation Lab and Sports Complex in Orimedu, Ibeju-Lekki, set to become a hub for digital and sport talent development.

  • Senator Abiru hails Ikorodu-born chess master, Tunde Onakoya’s feat

    Senator Abiru hails Ikorodu-born chess master, Tunde Onakoya’s feat

    The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, has commended the 29 years old Ikorodu-born Chess Master and Coach, Tunde Onakoya for setting a global record in Chess game.

    Onakoya broke the world record for the longest chess marathon after playing unbeaten for about 60 hours in New York City’s Times Square to raise money for underprivileged children.

    The lawmaker in his congratulatory message on Sunday, saluted the courage and determination of young Onakoya despite the adversities he faced while growing up in Ikorodu. 

    Senator Abiru noted that the rare feat has once again given a ray of hope for many young folks, particularly those from less-privileged homes who are striving to fulfil their dreams and aspirations.

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    Senator Abiru who is the founder of SAIL Innovation Lab in Ikorodu, which has trained hundreds of young people in Tech Talent Development, Data Science, Games Development and other tech and digital skills, with lucrative job placement in the field of Artificial Intelligence and other sectors, noted that Tunde Onakoya has become a beacon of hope for many young folks who are working towards global relevance in their respectives endeavours, the statement released by his media aide, Enitan Olukotun stated.

    He said: “On behalf of the good people of Lagos East Senatorial District, I congratulate the Ikorodu-born global Chess Champion, Tunde Onakoya for setting a world record for winning a longest chess marathon.

    “This feat has set the stage for many young people in Ikorodu, Lagos East Senatorial District and beyond to reach for the top. 

    “He has demonstrated that adversity can never conquer a determined and courageous person. I am proud of his remarkable accomplishment and the honour he has brought to our dear nation.

    “I join his family, and all Nigerians in celebrating this great Ambassador, who has become a great source of inspiration for many Nigerians, particularly young people.”