*Applauds Tinubu’s effort to revamp economy
*Urges Deltans, Nigerians to be patient, expect dividends of Renewed Hope
*Says protest ‘ll be counter-productive
By Victor Lewis
The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Ede Dafinone, has donated empowerment items worth several millions of naira to uplift the standard and quality of lives of over three thousand constituents in the zone.
Distributing the items which included grinding machines, generators, sewing machines, make-up kit, food items and other empowerment tools to the people in Sapele, yesterday (26/07/24), Senator Dafinone assured the people that more empowerment are in the pipeline, adding that it will be the turn of those who did not benefit from it now, next time.
While addressing the beneficiaries who were drawn from the 8 Local Government Areas of the Senatorial District, Sen. Dafinone expressed concern with the current economic hardship affecting everyone across the country, noting that the situation will soon improve just as he encouraged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who, according to him, is doing everything possible to improve on the economy.
“The economy has not been kind to Nigerians, especially those at the lower rung of the ladder. We are aware of the hunger in the land and have deemed it necessary to support the less privileged.
“The increase in fuel prices, dollar exchange rates, and food costs are outcomes of policies designed to strengthen the economy.
“It’s like taking a bitter pill; it’s unpleasant now, but it is for the long-term benefit. The government is committed to ameliorating the pains associated with these measures”, he said.
The Senator who recalled that Dafinone Foundation has been involved in Empowerment for the past 18 years, noted that for the past one year, the economy of the country has not been friendly, adding that he was aware that the common man is mostly affected hence the need to do something to ameliorate the harsh condition.
“Why are we here? I have been your Senator for one year now. And the economy of the country has not been friendly to all Nigerians. But those at the grassroots are the ones feeling it the most. With the increase in petrol price, the increase in food prices, we have seen that there is hunger in the land. And we see the need to assist and support those who are less privileged around us.
“The APC government is responsive to people. The increase is designed to strengthen the economy and things will get better. The decision of the President is for us to adjust for the economy to take off.
“But what we are passing through now is like someone taking bitter medicine. As we take the medicine, things will become better and the economy will become better”, he assured.
Commenting on the proposed planned protest by some aggrieved Nigerians next week, Senator Dafinone noted that those planning the protest have adequately passed their message and the government has already addressing the challenges, adding that it will be counter-productive to go on with the protest.”Those that are protesting their message to government is that people are hungry, their message to government is that things are hard. But government has seen their message already and is already doing something about it.
“But if they go on with the protest, it means that those who have shops, those who have farms, those who have other businesses cannot see customers.
“What it means is that since government has seen their message and government is putting up more effort to ameliorate their pains, there is no more need to go on protest.
“The President is aware of the people’s suffering and is implementing palliatives to cushion the effects”, he assured the people.
Fielding questions from newsmen during the occasion, the Chief of Staff to the Senator, Olorogun Barr. Adelabu Bodjor stated that the event was for the Senator to demonstrate his effective representation of the constituents, adding that he makes sure he brings the dividends of democracy to his people.
While staying that the exercise was the first in a series of empowerment lined up for the Constituents, he admonished the beneficiaries to put whatever items they received to proper use and well managed, warning that none should go out and sell of the items.
“The Distinguished Senator has come here today to tell the people that he is out there to effectively represent the people to make sure that he brings home the dividends of democracy. This is the beginning.
“My advice to every recipient of these items is to put them into effective and proper use. They should be well-managed and nobody should go out there to sell these items. There are various items there which if properly put to use can generate income that will put food on their tables. That is the intention of the Senator”, he said.
Responding on behalf of beneficiaries from Ughelli South Local Government Area, Barr. Innocent Edjedegba, thanked the Senator for the gesture, assuring that they will be properly utilized.
“We the people of Ughelli South are very thankful to the Senator for choosing to empower our people after one year in the Senate. We quite appreciate him for this gesture and we promise to put the items into proper use.
“This gesture is a huge relief to our people, especially in these challenging times,” he said.
Also, the woman leader of the Dafinone Foundation and Dafinone Cooperative, Mrs. Obakpolor Vic, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the empowerment program.
“Working with Senator Dafinone has been a seamless experience,” she noted.
The Palliative items include 65 Grinding machine, 30 Sewing Machine (Butterfly- Manual), 40 Vulcanizing Machine (DS 200 Tiger), 40 Welding Machine (Maxmech), 60 Industrial Gas Burner (Local), 20 Water pumping machine (SUMEC), 40 Car Washing Machine (Power sprayer), 60 Local Industrial Oven (Local), 60 Three-Legged Pot and Fryer, 40 Generator – (Shineray Generator 2.5KVA), 8 freezer – hisense 142 Litres Chest,
Others include 32 Makeup box set with Ring light (14 inches Ring light with USB cable and Tripod), 24 Hair Washing Basin (Plastic)- Fiber Washing Hair Basin, 24 Hair dryer, 1200 Big Bull -25KG Bags of Rice, and 1200 litres of Palm Oil.
It would be recalled that Senator Dafinone has been in the business of empowering his people for the past 18 years.
On this occasion, he has given out empowerment/palliatives to those who deserve it the most to beneficiaries who were selected from across the eight Local Government Areas of Delta Central Senatorial District.
Over 1,200 bags of rice
Generators and several hair saloon equipment
Senator Dafinone handing over an item to a beneficiary
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