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It was a day to say Thank You Lord . A day to testify, acknowledge the Lord’s goodness. Sunday July 9 , 2023 . The All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta Central Senatorial District family pooled all and beyond the domain and stood with Senator (Chief) Ede Dafinone to give praises to God for a successful campaign, election victory and ultimate inauguration for the 10th National Assembly.
*Senator Ede Dafinone (middle) his wife Enyamba(left) and Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas*
*Chief Godfrey Dafinone (left) Chief Paulinus Akpeki (right) APC leader*
*The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue 1 .*
Dafinone is the Eighth Senator to represent the Urhobo Nation.
Party chieftains, followers , numerous associates , friends and family members defied the inclement weather , 30 hours of heavy rainfall that terminated only an hour to the 11am church service in Sapele.
On this day, Dafinone reiterated his unflinching commitment to serve the entire Senatorial District and its people with all his being without prejudice to clan ,party affiliation, religion or class .
He declared he would touch as many lives as possible with a view to raising living standards. “He said:” I belong to the Urhobo people , it doesn’t matter whether you voted for me or not . Whether you’re in party A or B is irrelevant. My assignment is to serve the good people of Delta Central. I promise my people to be accessible, my door is open to everybody. ” He made the pledge at altar of Praise Baptist Church, Ogorode Road, Sapele during the church service. The throng of congregants, guests was massive including royal fathers of Urhobo land.
Dafinone is aware his huge pedigree and the task ahead . He has stepped into his father’s shoes 40 years after the demise of Nigeria’s Second Republic. The late Senator (Chief) David Omueya Dafinone was a driving pillar of the then legislature and the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari government. He distinctly served his people and the nation with quality contributions and counsel. Many remember him as pushing sound economic policies and alert such as his caution that Nigeria should avert moving from “Oil Doom to Steel Suicide “.
“My assignment is not an easy one . My late father, Senator David Omueya Dafinone, made a trail which I am now following, not just Okpe , Urhobo, Delta State and the whole of Nigeria. As I take up this assignment, I take all the responsibility that goes with it , to deliver the dividend of democracy to the great people of Delta Central. I have the objective to touch lives, to change many lives as possible in Delta Central. ”
Dafinone also acknowledged and lauded his immediate predecessor, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo – Agege for his outstanding performance. ” Because of what he did all over Delta Central and beyond, my campaign was much easier. We could point at a meaningful project in every ward we visited . The number of senators that could achieve that in the past 24 years won’t be more than five “, he stated.
The quintessential Senator dedicated his victory at the poll first to God, hardworking members of his campaign team led by the Director General (DG) Chief Adelabu Bodjor, and esteemed leaders APC for their tireless efforts. ” They were resolute , undeterred by challenges, ” he declared.
From the pulpit earlier, Rev Iweh Godspower ,who took his sermon from 1st Cor. 15 verse 9–10, titled his message :” I am who I am by His Grace “.
He was emphatic on the need to always acknowledge the Grace of God in man’s life stressing that believers should embrace humility in one’s day– to –day affairs . He said the conclusion of the whole is Fear God. Iweh admonished Dafinone to embrace all , from all the clans of his District without discrimination.
In his instructive message, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM ,Maj. Gen (rtd) Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue 1, advised that people expect or demand too much of their Senator. He said Dafinone can’t meet everybody’s needs , that his resources cannot satisfy all. Therefore, expectations should be moderate . He recalled that in advanced places, communities, professionals, associations sponsor political representatives to the national assembly . For example, teachers could rally round a politician, raise funds for campaigns and sponsor him to pursue their interests at the center. Regrettably, the reverse prevails in our part of the world.
Nevertheless, the Orodje was much elated to be a beneficiary of history making . His situation was like a woman praying to God to grant her just one child . Now at delivery, she brought forth triplets. A record for his domain……a governor, a senator , a representative from the latest general elections.
Present at Thanksgiving Ceremony, were other Royal Majesties of Urhobo land, Ovie of Uvwie, Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso Abe 1 ; Ovie of Mosogar, Sunday Odogu Okpurhe and their counterparts from Oghara, Ughelli, Agbarha, Abraka, Ogor ,among others. In their royal outfits, magnificence adorned the church . At the end of praises to God, ably steered by choir , a grand reception followed at the Sapele Athletic Club grounds. And there, it was a carnival of sorts. Traditional dance groups from all the clans of the senatorial district preformed well on this busy day of joy , merriment and fun.
The massively attended ceremony had also the presence of Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas of Delta South Senatorial District . Other dignitaries included Chief Ese Gam , the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) President , Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Chief G. Kogoro, Chief Godfrey Dafinone, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo, Barr Abel Idigu, Rtd Justce Obodo, among many others. The event was organised by the Central Management Team led by Chief Bodjor. Spokesman Idigu would conclude on expectation of Senator Ede Dafinone going for a record performance at senate , to the Glory of God and joy to Delta Central.