Nigeria's new President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the death of the founder of Daar Communications Group, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
Dokpesi reportedly died of stroke on Monday, May 29, 2023, at an Abuja hospital. The AIT Chairman was said to have began ailing shortly after the last Moslem Ramadan Fast.
President Tinubu in a statement issued from the Presidency on Monday evening, described the death of the media mogul as a huge loss to the Nigerian media industry and the country in general.
He said,“The death of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a blow to the media industry where he has played pioneering roles in private broadcasting. His pacesetting investment in the industry is an inspiration to many who come after him.
“The history of the evolution of the Nigerian media industry will be incomplete without prominent mention of Dokpesi and his giant footprints on the media landscape.
“I express my sincere condolences to the management and staff of DAAR Communications and the family of the late media entrepreneur for this monumental loss,” he said.
Also, former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) during the recent presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, expressed utmost shock at the demise of foremost independent media entrepreneur, Dr Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.
Upon hearing of Dokpesi’s situation over a month ago, Atiku called off a meeting he was chairing in his Asokoro, Abuja home, to check up on the health of his longstanding ally.
He had been in regular contact with Dokpesi’s health managers ever since, monitoring his situation.
Atiku spoke from his Yola, Adamawa State home where he attended the “14th Commencement of the American University of Nigeria, (AUN),” which he established.
His exact words, as contained in a press release by his Media Adviser, Dr Tunde Olusunle, quoted Atiku Abubakar to have said: “Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God! I am in a state of shock. I am in Adamawa, scheduled to return midweek before I received this shattering piece of news.”
Speaking further, the former vice president said: “You shouldn’t have left us on a date like this, Ezomo. But what can we do? As we say in Islam, from God we came and, to Him, we return. My everlasting and deepest condolences to his family, associates and admirers. May God forgive his sins and grant him paradise.”
Founder of the African Independent Television, (AIT) and the popular radio Raypower FM, Dokpesi had a very cordial, preexisting relationship with Atiku.
He stood by the former vice president during his travails in the aftermath of his disenfranchisement by the state in the 2019 presidential election.
Ahead of Atiku’s declaration in 2022 to contest for the presidency, Dokpesi led a group of reputable stakeholders on a countrywide tour to drum up support for Atiku.
He functioned as Deputy Director-General, Technical and Systems, of the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, ahead of the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
For his services to fatherland and his pioneering innovations in broadcast communication, he was decorated with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, (OFR), several years ago.
Dokpesi’s eldest son, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support at this difficult time for the family.
He requested for prayers for the family as they grieved over their revered patriarch.
Dokpesi Jnr assured all that the family would release further details on the funeral arrangements in due course.
In his own condolence reaction, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has equally expressed his profound shock and sorrow at the news of Dokpesi's passage, describing it as a monumental loss.
The death of the media mogul which was announced on by his family, has left the IGP and the nation as a whole in a state of deep mourning.
In a statement conveyed by the Force Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP conveyed his condolences and shared his sentiments regarding the significant loss that Nigeria, the media community, and the entire African continent had suffered.
“High Chief Raymond Dokpesi was not only a remarkable businessman but also a prominent figure in the field of media and a compassionate philanthropist. His contributions to society and the media industry were truly exceptional, making his untimely departure all the more devastating,” the IGP was quoted to have said.
The IGP offered his fervent prayers for the eternal rest of Raymond Dokpesi’s soul.
Additionally, he implored divine guidance and support for the family members, the dedicated staff members of DAAR Communications, and all the friends and associates of the late philanthropist during this challenging period of grief and loss.
“The loss of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a monumental blow to Nigeria, as his exceptional entrepreneurial acumen, media expertise, and unwavering commitment to philanthropy have left an indelible mark on the nation’s socio-economic landscape.
“Moreover, his influence extended beyond Nigeria’s borders, resonating throughout the African continent and beyond.
“His contributions and accomplishments will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.
“As the nation mourns the passing of this great visionary, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, stands in solidarity with the bereaved family, the media community, and all those whose lives were touched by High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
“The legacy he leaves behind will continue to inspire and guide future generations, fostering excellence, innovation, and compassion in the fields of media, business, and philanthropy,” the IGP was further quoted to have said.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, also mourns the Founder of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, describing him as the “pioneer of private broadcast media in Nigeria.”
In a statement on Monday, the governor said Chief Dopkesi was an illustrious son of Edo State, who recorded indelible achievements that marked him out as one of Nigeria’s most impactful media executives.
According to him, “The Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno, Chief Dokpesi was an outstanding businessman and indeed, a media mogul, who took the bold step to venture into private broadcasting and broke the ground for many who came after him.
“He was a pacesetter and brave in his quest to build Africa’s most enterprising, private broadcasting brand.
“Chief Dokpesi was a man of many parts. From his early academic exploits as a scholar in Poland, he returned to Nigeria to establish himself as an expert in the shipping business. He set up Nigeria’s first shipping line before venturing into broadcasting upon the deregulation of the media business in the country.”
The governor said Chief Dokpesi established the Africa Independent Television (AIT), which recorded many firsts in the broadcasting business, becoming Nigeria’s first satellite television, adding “He expanded the enterprise to North America and Europe, promoting Nigeria’s outstanding entrepreneurial flair.”
He continued, “He was a formidable Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing his experience and expertise to bear in handling party affairs.
“A worthy ambassador of the Edo State, Chief Dopkesi will be remembered for his knack for excellence and unwavering spirit of enterprise.
“I commiserate with the Dokpesi family, the good people of Weppa-Wanno, the Board and management of Daar Communications as well as friends and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
However, former National Chairman of the APC and Edo North Senator-elect, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed shock, disbelief and sadness over the death of the High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.
In a statement by his chief media aide, Victor Oshioke, the former governor of Edo State said “the news of Dokpesi’s death is hard to believe, shocking and devastating. It is a monumental loss to Afemai land, and the vacuum created by his departure will be hard to fill.”
He said, “Dokpesi is a household name as a pioneer in the development of private ownership of electronic media in Nigeria. He made an appreciable mark in the Nigerian political terrain just as he was a resourceful captain of industry. He will be remembered for his resilience and tenacity in the battles he fought during the dark days of military dictatorship, for the emergence of a vibrant, independent, and responsive media in Nigeria.
“Though we mourn the loss of this exceptional Afemai elder, cultural ambassador and patriotic Nigerian, we are nonetheless consoled that he did not only live a fulfilled life, but touched many lives through his many investments in job creating businesses and philanthropic engagements. He was an Etsako man to the core, in love with his people, their traditions, and aspirations.
“On behalf of my family, I extend our sincere condolences to his wives, children, the Dokpesi family of Agenedode, Afemai people, and the entire Daar Communications family for this irreparable loss.
In the same vein, National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South South Zone, Chief Dan Orbih, also mourn High Chief Dokpesi.
In a statement made available to pressmen, Orbih said: “I was shocked when I received the news of the passage of Chief Raymond Aliogho Dokpesi. I am yet to process the fact that he is no longer with us. Words have failed me to express how I feel during this very sad moment.
“Chief Raymond Dokpesi, until his death was an eminent son of Weppa-Wanno who distinguished himself as the first individual to build the business of private broadcasting in Nigeria. His mark in the broadcasting media in Nigeria is etched in the annals of history. His effort opened the floodgate for private ownership of broadcasting houses in the country.”
Orbih added that Chief Dokpesi was an outstanding member of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and was ably and deservedly nominated by the PDP South~South Zonal working Committee to the position of member, Board of Trustees.
“No doubt, Chief Raymond Dokpesi lived a good life. His outstanding achievements both in media and politics will inspire the younger generation.
“My condolences to the entire Dokpesi family, the people of Weppa-Wanno, the Edo State people and Nigerians in general. I pray that the Almighty God will grant us the fortitude to bear the loss, and I pray for the repose of his soul,” he stated. (source: the conclave). NNL.
