The exercise, which began midweek on January 21, 2026, targeted severely impacted areas in the Sapele axis before extending to other parts of the district, including Udu, Ughelli South, Ughelli North, and surrounding localities. Communities that benefited include Ogbe-Udu, Okwagbe, Ewreni (Evwreni), Uwheru, Vitafoam, Community Road Amukpe, Town Gate Okirigwre, Ojolu, Gana, and Orhiakpa, among others. These areas, predominantly agrarian and riverine, suffered extensive damage to homes, farmlands, infrastructure, and livelihoods during the 2025 rainy season, with flooding and high winds exacerbating vulnerabilities in already flood-prone zones like the Niger Delta region.
Relief items distributed included staple food commodities such as bags of rice, garri, beans, salt, spaghetti, seasoning cubes, canned tomatoes, vegetable oil, and groundnut oil. Non-food essentials comprised mosquito nets to combat malaria risks in post-flood environments, towels, and maternity dresses to support vulnerable women and nursing mothers. The packages were designed to provide immediate sustenance and basic household needs while families begin rebuilding.
At the distribution point in Gana, Sapele, Senator Dafinone—represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Justin Uloho—emphasized the intervention's role in alleviating hardship. Chief Uloho commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the prompt release of the materials through NEMA, describing the president as "compassionate and responsive" to the cries of affected Nigerians. He reiterated Senator Dafinone's dedication to bridging the gap between federal resources and grassroots communities, assuring that the exercise would continue the following day to cover remaining areas in Delta Central for comprehensive reach.
In Ogbe-Udu community, Udu Local Government Area, Senator Dafinone’s Udu LGA Liaison Officer, Engr. Peter Oputu, highlighted the alignment of the effort with broader recovery initiatives. He noted that while some references pointed to lingering impacts from earlier floods (such as the devastating 2022 event that affected multiple Urhobo communities), the current distribution addressed the 2025 disasters. Engr. Oputu conveyed the senator's appreciation to the Tinubu administration for its "continual support to the Urhobo people," underscoring how such interventions strengthen federal presence in the region.
Community leaders and beneficiaries expressed profound gratitude. In Evwreni Kingdom, APC chieftain and former President General Chief Ohare Victor lauded Senator Dafinone's "high-quality representation." He stated, "We are very happy and overwhelmed that Senator Ede Dafinone sent his team to assist our people... His representation is of high quality, and we hope that he continues to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people." Similar sentiments echoed across sites, with beneficiaries like Mrs. Blessing Ogheneovo noting the items' role in family recovery: "We lost many things last year. What we received today will help us survive." Nursing mother Mrs. Mary Efe appreciated the maternity provisions, saying, "It means a lot to us. Government has shown that it cares." Mrs. Thelma and Mrs. Gladys Okoro described the assistance as timely and confidence-boosting, particularly due to the visible involvement of officials.
Political goodwill was evident, with beneficiary Emoregha Tina from Ewreni affirming support for Senator Dafinone ahead of the 2027 elections: "We appreciate Senator Ede Dafinone for work well done... As we approach the 2027 general elections, we will stand by him like we did in 2023." In Sapele, Chief Liaison Officer Chief Patrick Akamuvba described the distribution as "practical representation," crediting President Tinubu's disaster response priorities and Senator Dafinone's facilitation for bringing tangible federal aid to the doorstep.
NEMA officials from the Benin Zonal Office supervised the process across all locations, ensuring transparency, accurate documentation, and equitable distribution. Their presence reinforced accountability and adherence to standard protocols for humanitarian interventions.
This initiative reflects Senator Dafinone's consistent advocacy for his constituents in Delta Central, a district encompassing eight local government areas with significant Urhobo populations. Known for championing ecological interventions in flood-prone zones like Sapele, Ughelli, and Udu, the senator has previously pushed for climate resilience measures, infrastructure projects (including Sapele Seaport revitalization funding in the 2025 budget), and humanitarian outreaches such as medical programs and agricultural training. His office's role in facilitating NEMA aid demonstrates effective constituency engagement, linking national disaster response mechanisms to local needs amid Nigeria's recurring flood challenges in the Niger Delta.
The distribution not only provides immediate relief but also fosters resilience, as communities recover from destroyed farmlands and homes. It highlights the importance of sustained federal-state-legislative partnerships in addressing climate-induced disasters, which have displaced thousands and disrupted livelihoods in recent years. As the exercise concludes, it reinforces public trust in governance and underscores Senator Dafinone's commitment to delivering "dividends of democracy" through proactive representation.
