Dafinone identified human capital development as one of the major priorities of his representation, noting that creating opportunities for young people and other qualified constituents remained essential to building a stronger and more prosperous society.
He explained that first-term legislators often face limitations in terms of financial and political leverage compared to their more experienced colleagues but said his emergence as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character had created additional opportunities for him to assist qualified constituents.
The senator disclosed that his office had facilitated federal employment opportunities for some Urhobo people within two months of his appointment to the committee leadership position, adding that more opportunities were expected.
He said his interventions were not limited to employment, as his office had also pursued scholarships, accommodation, contracts and other opportunities for qualified constituents.
Dafinone, however, warned individuals against attempting to exploit or extort members of the public in his name, stressing that his office does not charge constituents for legitimate assistance or opportunities.
The lawmaker also highlighted several constituency projects executed across Delta Central, saying he had deliberately ensured that development interventions were distributed across the district.
According to him, projects have reached 83 of the 85 political wards in Delta Central, with plans underway to extend interventions to the remaining two wards.
Among the major projects listed by the senator were a 53-bed student hostel at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; a railway halt at Egbo-Urhe in Ughelli South Local Government Area; a maternity ward at Ughelli General Hospital; and an Accident and Emergency Ward at Sapele General Hospital.
However, Dafinone said his vision for the development of Delta Central extended beyond conventional constituency projects.
He stressed the need for landmark industrial investments capable of creating long-term employment and sustainable economic opportunities for the Urhobo people.
The senator disclosed that he had recently spent four days studying the situation at the Delta Steel Company, DSC, in Ovwian-Aladja and was preparing a memorandum seeking government intervention in the facility.
According to him, the future of the steel complex should be determined through a comprehensive technical assessment to establish whether the plant could be revived as an integrated steel production facility or transformed into a modern manufacturing and industrial village.
He said such an assessment would help establish the actual condition of the facility, determine whether critical equipment had been removed and assess the financial viability of restarting steel production.
Beyond economic and infrastructural development, Dafinone called for urgent action to preserve the cultural identity of the Urhobo people.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to take the documentation of Urhobo traditions seriously, particularly the Urhobo language, traditional marriage rites, funeral ceremonies and the proper presentation of kola nuts.
The senator said he had sponsored the Urhobo Language Competition for two consecutive years and would sponsor it for a third year in honour of the late Senator Pius Ewherido, whom he credited with initiating the cultural programme.
Dafinone expressed concern that some aspects of Urhobo culture were gradually being distorted or replaced by practices borrowed from other ethnic groups.
He recalled an incident during a traditional Urhobo prayer where participants were asked to remove their caps, describing such developments as an indication of why the people's customs and traditions must be properly documented and passed down to younger generations.
The senator also called on the Urhobo people to redefine their understanding of wealth and success by placing greater emphasis on service, legacy and collective advancement rather than personal accumulation.
Dafinone said the reputation and legacy left behind by his late father, Senator David Omueya Dafinone, remained a source of inspiration and a standard he was determined to uphold.
He said his personal ambition was not centred on the accumulation of material wealth but on making meaningful contributions to the development of the Urhobo nation and preparing a new generation of leaders capable of sustaining its progress.
The senator also described his growing network within the National Assembly and across government institutions as one of the most valuable assets he could deploy for the benefit of his constituents.
He noted that relationships developed through legislative service had made it easier for him to engage ministers, permanent secretaries and other senior government officials on issues affecting Delta Central and the Urhobo nation.
Dafinone argued that legislative experience and networks become stronger over time, adding that returning to the Senate for a second term would provide him with greater leverage to attract opportunities and advance the interests of his constituents.
Earlier, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom urged the senator to remain accessible to the people and continue using his position to attract development opportunities to Udu Kingdom, Delta Central and the wider Urhobo nation.
The monarch said the performance of a legislator should not be judged solely by the amount of money distributed to individuals but by the quality of legislation supported, the relationships and networks built and the opportunities attracted to the people.
The royal father also called for stronger engagement between elected representatives and local communities, increased investment in gas-based industries and the proper protection of community and industrial assets, particularly those connected to the steel sector.
He urged Dafinone to collaborate with relevant committees of the National Assembly and government authorities to ensure that Udu Kingdom and the wider Urhobo nation benefited from the enormous economic opportunities available within the region.
Speaking further, Dafinone maintained that the future of the Urhobo people depended largely on unity, a strong cultural identity, mentorship and deliberate succession planning.
He described the Urhobo nation as one of Nigeria's significant ethnic groups, blessed with highly educated, skilled and successful individuals across different parts of the world.
However, he lamented that despite the abundance of human resources and successful professionals, the people sometimes appeared marginalised because of their inability to work together towards common goals.
Dafinone therefore appealed to Urhobo leaders and citizens to put collective interests above personal differences and work towards a common vision for the future.
“Everyone cannot be the captain of the ship at the same time,” the senator said, adding that his current responsibility was to help steer the Urhobo nation towards greater progress before handing over to the next generation.
He maintained that unity, strategic collaboration, cultural preservation and deliberate investment in young people remained essential to building a stronger and more prosperous future for the Urhobo nation.
