UPU, Urhobo, Dafinone,
Senator Representing Delta Central Senatoral District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has placed unity at the centre of Urhobo progress, saying the future of the nation depends on the “simple, stubborn work of staying united.”
The Delta Central lawmaker stated this at the 94th Urhobo Day celebration in Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, warning that no community grows on division. “Unity is not just cultural sentiment,” he wrote. “It is a necessary foundation for progress.”
He explained that the strength of the Urhobo Nation has always come from its collective spirit — a spirit he fears must not be allowed to weaken. “When we stand together, we stand stronger,” he said, urging leaders, elders and young people to protect the bonds that have held the ethnic group together for nearly a century.
Dafinone said the mood at this year’s Urhobo Day captured the urgency of that message. The celebration, themed Awaken Urhobo Spirit for Unity, drew traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and cultural associations.
He described it as a reminder that peace, cultural preservation and dialogue remain the bedrock of meaningful development. “The celebration highlighted the enduring importance of peaceful coexistence,” he noted. “Our rich cultural identity must not only be preserved but strengthened.”
The event also doubled as the 2025 Annual Congress of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), and for the senator, it marked a defining moment in the organisation’s long journey. The outgoing executive council was dissolved, paving the way for a new one. Yet, in the end, continuity prevailed as Chief Ese Gam Owe was re-elected as President-General.
Dafinone called the outcome “a reaffirmation of trust in his vision and commitment to the Urhobo cause.”
Reflecting on the UPU’s 94-year history, he paid tribute to the organisation’s founding fathers. Their early sacrifices, he said, gave shape to an enduring identity. “We are reminded of the courage, unity, and purposeful leadership that have shaped the Urhobo Nation from its founding days to this moment,” he wrote. “That legacy is a duty we must protect.”
The senator used the opportunity to restate his support for cultural development, particularly the promotion of the Urhobo language. He pointed to the annual Urhobo Language Competition — an initiative he sponsors in honour of the late Senator Pius Ewherido — as part of his commitment. According to him, the contest “continues to inspire young Urhobos to embrace and preserve our mother tongue,” a step he believes is crucial to sustaining identity in a changing world.
Dafinone also charged the newly elected UPU leadership to deepen the work of uniting the Urhobo Nation. He urged them to go beyond ceremonies and push for genuine harmony across all communities. “I encourage the new leadership to deepen unity within the Urhobo Nation,” he said. “Continue to work tirelessly to promote peace, harmony, and development among our people.”
He stressed that progress is a shared responsibility, not a task for leaders alone. Partnerships, he said, will be essential. “Together — through unity of purpose, strategic partnerships, and sustained development initiatives — we can secure a brighter, stronger, and more prosperous future for all Urhobos.”
Dafinone stressed that the Urhobo destiny is not written by fate but by the hands of a people willing to move as one. His reminder came at a moment when unity feels more urgent than ever — and the road ahead demands focus, discipline and a shared vision.
