The Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, has called for continuity in Nigeria’s ongoing reform process, saying the country needs sustained efforts to consolidate the changes being introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dafinone made the call on Saturday while speaking at the 2026 World Youth Conference of the Okpe Youth Council (OYC), held at Edion Hall, Orerokpe, in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.
The senator, who chaired the conference themed, “Okpe Youths and the 21st Century Challenges,” also received an Outstanding Leadership Award from the youth council in recognition of his contributions to leadership and service.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dafinone said the Federal Government had undertaken significant reforms within the first three years of the Tinubu administration, stressing that abandoning the process midway could undermine efforts already made.
According to him, Nigeria requires a leadership team capable of building on existing reforms rather than repeatedly starting development programmes from the beginning whenever there is a change in administration.
“The roadmap for development is very clear. Equally, at the national level, our President has executed an enormous amount of reforms, given his just three years in office,” he said.
Dafinone maintained that the reform process was still ongoing and that more work was required to address the country’s economic and institutional challenges.
He also used the occasion to draw the attention of Okpe youths to the rapid changes taking place in the global economy, urging them to acquire skills that would enable them to remain relevant in an increasingly technology-driven world.
A major part of his message centred on Artificial Intelligence, which he described as an emerging tool that would increasingly influence decision-making and professional activities across different sectors.
“AI today already is an essential tool in every profession. Nobody should say that they don’t understand AI,” Dafinone said, urging young people to learn and make productive use of the technology.
He said technological advancement was changing the nature of employment and that youths could no longer afford to depend entirely on conventional white-collar jobs.
The senator encouraged young people to identify their talents, interests and practical abilities and consider turning them into businesses and other sources of livelihood.
He further stressed that university education should provide a foundation for development rather than permanently restricting graduates to the profession they studied.
Dafinone cited former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who trained as a medical doctor but later ventured into banking before going into politics and serving as Governor of Kwara State, Senator and President of the Senate.
He noted that technological tools had also made access to information easier for aspiring entrepreneurs, including those seeking to develop business plans and feasibility studies.
According to him, young Nigerians must learn how to obtain reliable information, understand it and apply it effectively to solve problems and create opportunities.
He further observed that automation was already affecting manufacturing and other sectors, making adaptability, creativity and continuous learning essential qualities for young people.
Dafinone therefore urged Okpe youths to take advantage of online learning platforms and other available opportunities to develop digital, entrepreneurial and practical skills.
He commended the OYC leadership for organising the conference, describing it as an important platform for discussing the challenges confronting youths and exploring ways of preparing them for the future.
Earlier, the National President of the Okpe Youth Council, Comrade Moses Newcome Odiete, led the organisation in honouring Dafinone with a distinguished service award for his leadership in the Senate and support for Okpe and Urhobo youths.
