By Nelson Agbajor
ABUJA/Nigeria: The Board of Trustees of the Urhobo Leadership Forum, Abuja, has commended Senator Ede Dafinone for what it described as pragmatic leadership and impactful representation of Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
Led by its Chairman, His Excellency Ambassador Brownson Dede, the board described the senator as a committed and accessible lawmaker whose contributions at the Red Chamber have continued to advance the collective interests of the Urhobo nation.
In a statement after a meeting with the senator, the forum applauded Dafinone’s principled stance on critical Urhobo issues and his effective legislative engagement, noting that his interventions had strengthened the voice of the ethnic nationality at the federal level.
Among the achievements highlighted was Dafinone’s role in securing the release of the Ovie of Ewu, which the board described as a timely and courageous intervention. The trustees also praised his open-door policy and accessibility to constituents through initiatives such as his regular meet-and-greet forums.
The forum called on sons and daughters of Urhobo land to rally behind the senator at all levels of governance, stressing that sustained unity and support were vital for achieving lasting development across Urhobo communities.
During the visit, the board briefed Dafinone on preparations for a proposed Urhobo National Summit aimed at drawing national attention to the development needs and strategic importance of Urhobo land. The delegation also sought his support for amendments to the law establishing the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, to broaden its academic mandate beyond petroleum-related disciplines.
Responding, Senator Dafinone thanked the delegation, which included Olorogun Peter Igho, Professor Vremudia Diejomaoh and Okakuro Bright Igbako, and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the progress of the Urhobo nation through initiatives that support education, infrastructure and economic growth.
He disclosed that discussions also centred on the revitalisation of Sapele Port, which he described as a key economic priority, revealing that funding for the first phase of its renovation had already been secured in the 2025 national budget through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Dafinone said the project would open new economic opportunities for Urhobo land and reaffirmed his resolve to drive sustainable development across the district.
