Senator Ede Dafinone of Delta North discussed Nigeria’s economic recovery, youth empowerment, governance, and sustainable growth in an interview with Elo Edremoda.

Economic Recovery & Fiscal Policy

• The current economic hardship stems from necessary reforms under President Bola Tinubu, including:
  1. Removal of petrol subsidy – saved government funds and targeted resources more effectively.
  2. Removal of power subsidy – to prevent collapse of electricity companies.
  3. Foreign exchange reform – to let the naira reflect its true value.
• Despite initial pain, these reforms are beginning to show early signs of recovery, with prices gradually stabilizing.
• Long-term initiatives, like the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) program, aim to reduce transportation costs by one-third by 2027.
• Palliative measures such as Conditional Cash Transfers and food distributions are being implemented to cushion Nigerians during the transition.

Youth Empowerment & Retention

• Dafinone emphasized the need for role models, skills development, and self-employment, especially in digital, vocational, and agricultural sectors.
• Encouraging small-scale agriculture and ventures like fish farming can inspire peer-driven success.
• Education should focus on critical thinking and practical application rather than rote memorization.

Ethiope State & Governance

• Dafinone supports the creation of Ethiope State for better representation and resource control for the Urhobo people but stressed that effective governance and accountability are more crucial than new boundaries.

Constitutional Review

• Advocates targeted amendments rather than a complete overhaul.
• Urgent priority: legal protection for traditional rulers, insulating monarchs from political manipulation.

Leadership & Personal Insights

• His experience as Ede of Okpe Kingdom and community leadership informed his approach to governance.
• As a chartered accountant turned senator, he applies discipline and analytical skills to politics.
• Emphasizes simplicity, family unity, and integrity as core values.

Vision for Nigeria

• Advocates for the reinvestment of Nigerian wealth locally, including a proposed one-time amnesty for illegally acquired funds, contingent on domestic investment.
• Encourages Nigerians to be resilient, innovative, and patient, assuring that reforms are like surgery: painful but necessary for long-term healing.

Message to Nigerians:

“The light at the end of the tunnel is not far away; better days are coming.”