The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has said the Urhobo Nation is blessed to have Senator Ede Dafinone as the lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
UPU, which the apex socio-cultural umbrella of the Urhobo people worldwide, said it was blessed with the performance of Senator Dafinone and his efforts in promoting and advocating for Urhobo interests at the national level.
The President-General, UPU Worldwide, Chief Barr Ese Gam, gave the commendation when the lawmaker visited the leadership at the Urhobo Cultural Centre in Warri, Delta State , on Saturday.
Chief Gam noted that Senator Dafinone has consolidated on the legacy of his late father who was also senator in the second republic and praised him for being “a significant asset to the Urhobo nation”.
According to him, the Delta Central lawmaker begun his tenure commendably, providing effective representation for the Urhobo people in the 10th Senate and ensuring that the interest of his people were protected by the government of President Bola Tinubu.
He specifically commended Senator Dafinone for his humility and peaceful conduct since his election to the Senate, praying for his continued political elevation as he serves both the Urhobo nation and the country at large.
The UPU President-General said “Since you were elected as a senator, we have observed your unique humility and peaceful disposition. God will continue to exalt you for humbling yourself.
“While Papa (Ede’s father), Senator David Dafinone, was alive, he never forsook the Urhobo people. That is why, when he passed, the Urhobo people paid their respects to the family. Your family has always been good to the Urhobo nation. The first Urhobo man who put the Urhobo name in the Guinness World Records is from the Dafinone family.”
The President-General appealed for unity among the Urhobo people and assured Senator Dafinone of their support in the collective quest to ensure that the Urhobo nation receives its fair share from Nigeria.
During his thank-you visit to the UPU leadership at the Urhobo Cultural Centre, Warri, Senator Ede Dafinone emphasised the importance of consulting with the UPU to advance the Urhobo nation.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with the UPU leadership, Senator Dafinone explained that his visit was intended to update the UPU on his efforts in representing the Urhobo nation at the National Assembly.
He stated, “When I campaigned in 2023, the UPU was one of the organizations I visited. It has been a pillar of support for the Urhobo people. I felt it was timely to return, update them on my activities in Abuja, and discuss my plans for the remainder of my term.”
“I believe we need closer engagement because there are national issues where the Urhobo voice must be heard. When I mention the Urhobo voice, I refer not to my personal voice but to that of other stakeholders through engagements like this to gather their views and provide the best representation possible.”
Senator Ede Dafinone also urged Nigerians, particularly the Urhobo people, to reconsider the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024. He noted that the protest is unnecessary as President Tinubu is already addressing the demands.
He said, “The message of the protesters, I believe, is for the government to understand that the Nigerian economy is struggling. However, this hardship is not unique to Nigeria; it is a global phenomenon. At the same time, people feel the Federal Government needs to respond more to their needs, and that message has already been delivered.”
“The government is already responding in many ways. A protest over a message that has already been received is not necessary; it will result in lost production days for many who depend on daily sales to survive, making it counterproductive. If the protest is hijacked, it could be disastrous and have a negative impact.”
