In a spirited show of community engagement and partnership, the Craft Innovation Hub (CIH) paid a congratulatory courtesy visit to the Clerk of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Kareem Ahmed Olayiwola, at his office in Ilorin on Friday, June 27, 2025. The visit, led by CIH founder Abdulrasaq Ahmed Abiodun (PhD in view), was organised to formally celebrate the Clerk’s birthday (marked on June 26) and to discuss pathways for closer collaboration between the Assembly and the newly established innovation hub.
The visit, initially slated for the Clerk’s actual birthday, was rescheduled to the following day due to the public holiday. The CIH delegation, comprising Amina Hamzah, Engineer Ibraheem Abdulrazaq, and several other hub representatives, extended warm wishes and presented a goodwill card to the Clerk at the Assembly complex.
A highlight of the visit was a prayer session led by Engineer Ibraheem Abdulrazaq, seeking continued wisdom for the Clerk, divine progress for the Assembly, and lasting peace in Kwara State. The session was followed by a robust discussion on youth development, community empowerment, and digital innovation, with the CIH team emphasising the critical role of public-private partnership in creating opportunities for Kwara’s next generation.
Abiodun remarked: “At CIH, our vision is to transform Ilorin into a hub where youth, women, and the wider community can access practical skills, technology, and entrepreneurial opportunities. We are not just opening a facility; we are crafting a future where anyone, regardless of background, can earn, lead, and innovate right here in Kwara.”
He further introduced CIH’s three flagship arms: the NGO for outreach and health advocacy, the Tech & Vocational Centre for industry-certified training, and the Media/Podcast Studio for amplifying community voices and digital storytelling.
Craft Innovation Hub is a major youth, skills, and community development centre based at Agbo Oba, Ilorin, set for launch in August 2025. Its offerings include certified courses in Embedded Systems, Web & Data Science, Digital Marketing, Creative Writing, Plumbing, and hands-on vocational skills, delivered with a unique blend of entrepreneurship and media literacy. CIH’s mission is to bridge the gap between digital and practical skills, foster economic inclusion, and support underserved groups across Kwara State.
Responding to the visit, Alhaji Kareem Tunji Adeyemi expressed deep appreciation for the prayers, goodwill, and innovative vision shared by the CIH team. “The future of our State depends on building capable, innovative, and entrepreneurial young people. Initiatives like the Craft Innovation Hub are essential to making this a reality,” he stated. The Clerk pledged the Assembly’s willingness to explore productive partnerships and invited the hub to keep the House informed of its activities and impact.
The CIH team formally invited the Clerk and Assembly leadership to participate in the grand opening scheduled for August 2025, which will feature open house tours, sample classes, panel discussions, and a community dialogue on the future of innovation in Ilorin. “We welcome all stakeholders, policy makers, and the wider public to join us as we craft futures, one innovation at a time,” Dr. Abiodun added.
The visit marks the beginning of a closer working relationship between the House of Assembly and CIH, underscoring the value of institutional partnership for sustainable community development. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to aligning programmes, advocacy, and outreach for maximum impact on Kwara’s youth and economy.
