Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has reaffirmed his dedication to fostering and empowering talented young individuals through sports and technology.
Senator Abiru made the declaration while opening the second edition of the Senator Abiru Mixed Team Table Tennis Championships in Lagos.
The Mixed Table Championships, ranking as the world’s second-largest and Africa’s first, strives to create a platform celebrating excellence, inclusion, and community spirit through sports.
Senator Abiru said the establishment of SAIL Empowerment Foundation and the innovation lab with his wife has been instrumental in training thousands of young individuals in digital technology, creative design, software development, and entrepreneurship
He said “Through our partnerships with CcHub, MTN Foundation, Airtel Foundation, Huawei
Technologies, and NITDA, we have positioned SAIL as a model of how private initiative and
public partnership can create real impact in communities.
“Our vision remains clear: to build a future where talent is nurtured, empowered, and equipped to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Age.Our youth development philosophy goes beyond classrooms and computer labs. The discipline,focus, and teamwork that make great innovators are the same traits that define great athletes”
According to the Senator, this year’s edition will feature increased prize money and participation from more African countries
While addressing the gathering, the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Dr. Adesoji Tayo, commended the Senator for his unwavering commitment to Table Tennis in Nigeria, highlighting the fact that his efforts are progressively phasing out the era of inadequate funding and sponsorship in the sport.
In his address, the President of Africa Table Tennis Federation and Vice President of International Table Tennis Federation, Hon Enitan Oshodi, lauded Senator Abiru for his commitment to sports development, highlighting his instrumental role in facilitating funds for the Eko games in 2012 during his tenure as Lagos Commissioner for Finance..
As noted by Enitan, the Championships will soon be employed as a qualifying series for the forthcoming Olympic games. He also encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to replicate the Senator’s initiative by sponsoring additional Table Tennis Events.
The grand finale and closing ceremony of the Championships are scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 1st, 2025( Today), at the Teslim Balogun Stadium’s indoor sports hall in Lagos.
