Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has called for continuity in the economic and institutional reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying Nigeria cannot afford to abandon the process midway.
Dafinone made the call on Saturday 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 service and leadership.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dafinone said the Tinubu administration had implemented significant reforms during its first three years in office and should be given the opportunity to consolidate them.
«“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,” Dafinone said.»
He added that the reform process was still ongoing and argued that starting afresh under a new administration could disrupt efforts already underway.
«“I want to believe that the reform process is still on, and he has many more reforms to go. Our country needs to be fixed.»
«“A possibility of a new team coming on board that will start from scratch again is not what Nigeria needs. We need a tried and tested President, with his tried and tested team, in order to fix Nigeria and get us on the right track,” he said.»
Dafinone to Youths: Embrace AI
Dafinone also urged young Nigerians to acquire digital, entrepreneurial and practical skills to remain relevant in a rapidly changing global economy, placing particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He described AI as an increasingly important tool across different professions and encouraged young people to learn how to use the technology effectively.
«“AI today already is an essential tool in every profession. Nobody should say that they don’t understand AI. Decision-making for everybody should require you to have a little bit of AI input to know a hundred percent of the facts on ground,” he said.»
According to him, technological advancement is changing the nature of work at a rapid pace, making continuous learning and adaptability essential.
«“The world is changing very quickly, and our young ones must change with it. If, at my age, I’m studying AI, I don’t know why any young person should not also pick it up and become a master in it,” he added.»
Dafinone further predicted that AI would increasingly become part of decision-making across sectors in the coming years.
He also urged young people to look beyond conventional white-collar employment, particularly amid rising unemployment and changes in the global labour market.
Turn Skills and Hobbies Into Businesses
The senator advised graduates and young entrepreneurs to identify their talents, interests and practical abilities and explore ways of turning them into sustainable businesses.
He said a university degree should not necessarily restrict a graduate to a particular profession, citing former Senate President Bukola Saraki as an example of a professional who moved from medicine into banking and later public service.
Dafinone also pointed to advances in technology as a means of lowering some of the barriers traditionally associated with starting a business.
Using business feasibility studies as an example, he said young entrepreneurs could now access information and technological tools that could help them research opportunities, understand markets and make more informed decisions.
He noted that automation was already transforming manufacturing and other sectors, stressing that creativity, continuous learning and adaptability would be increasingly important in the workplace.
The lawmaker therefore encouraged Okpe youths to take advantage of online learning platforms and other available resources to develop digital, entrepreneurial and practical skills that could position them for emerging opportunities.
OYC Honours Dafinone
Dafinone commended the Okpe Youth Council for organising the conference and providing a platform for young people to discuss the challenges and opportunities confronting their generation.
He urged participants to translate the lessons from the conference into practical actions capable of promoting personal growth and community development.
Earlier, the leadership of the Okpe Youth Council, led by its National President, Comrade Moses Newcome Odiete, presented Dafinone with a distinguished service award in recognition of his leadership in the Senate and support for Okpe and Urhobo youths.
