By Sunday Apah
Senator Ede Dafinone, who represents the Delta Central Senatorial District, has stated that the Urhobo ethnic group should no longer view itself as second-class citizens in Nigeria.
He emphasized the responsibility of those in power to uplift their own communities.
During a media interaction with the Ughelli Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Thursday at the Chapel’s Secretariat in Ughelli, Delta State, Senator Dafinone urged Urhobo leaders to take a proactive stance in favoring their people regarding employment and appointments, just as leaders from other regions do.
“We are not second-class citizens in this nation. When a director-general or managing director from another region is hiring 100 individuals, they typically select 90 from their locality. An Urhobo individual should not hesitate to employ 50 if given a similar opportunity,” Dafinone remarked.
The senator shared that upon assuming office, he initially focused on selecting only highly qualified candidates for jobs and contracts. However, he later recognized that many successful applicants were not necessarily more qualified; rather, they succeeded due to their persistence and connections.
“At the beginning, I was meticulous about qualifications, often telling applicants, ‘You’re not qualified for this job.’ Eventually, I realized that the person who secured the position often lacked qualifications too.
They worked hard and got it. Now, I encourage our people to pursue their ambitions as well. Not everyone will succeed, but some will, and that’s a risk worth taking,” he explained.
Dafinone indicated that Urhobos in Abuja have established a robust support network aimed at helping community members find jobs, contracts, and government positions.
“We have developed a network of Urhobo individuals in various offices in Abuja. When I provide their names and contacts, just mention that I referred you, and the process that would typically take a week could be completed in two hours,” the senator noted.
He stressed that his objective is not to seek personal accolades or claim leadership but to foster a sense of unity and progress among the Urhobo people.
“The Senate seat for Delta Central does not belong to me; it belongs to my community. The more I empower others through my office, the closer we come to addressing our youth’s challenges. It should not just center around me as an individual, but rather on all of us,” he added.
Dafinone also urged Urhobos in influential positions across the nation to make conscious efforts to hire at least two or three individuals from their ethnic group each year. He stressed that such consistent efforts could significantly reduce youth unemployment in Urhoboland.
“In the past, Urhobo managers would seek assistance from colleagues in other regions for recruitment, as if they lacked contacts among their own.
“This mentality must change. If every Urhobo in a position of power employs even two or three people yearly, we can make significant strides in tackling youth unemployment,” Dafinone pointed out.
He mentioned that during discussions with Urhobo stakeholders, he was encouraged to create a WhatsApp group or similar platform to promote the agenda.
However, he declined the suggestion to avoid misunderstandings that might suggest he was competing with the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) or trying to assert personal authority. Instead, he has continued to empower representatives from various gatherings to spread the message of Urhobo unity and empowerment.
“Whenever I meet with a group of 20 or 30 Urhobo individuals, I urge them to conduct their meetings, share information, and involve others. This way, it becomes a collective effort rather than just my mission. If I remain the sole link to influential figures, it diminishes our overall impact. However, if all of us champion Urhobo advancement, the outcome will be much more substantial,” he emphasized.
In closing, Senator Dafinone reaffirmed his commitment to keeping his doors open to the people of Delta Central and vowed to leverage his office to empower as many Urhobos as possible.
Earlier, Comrade Sunday Apah, Chairman of the Ughelli Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, praised the senator for his initiative in updating the union on his Senate achievements.
He assured the union’s dedication to collaborating closely with the senator’s office to promote his work and initiatives.
