Today I pay tribute to one of Nigeria’s most outstanding and remarkable citizens, a man whose entire life had been dedicated to service to this country and to its citizens!
High Chief Raymond Alegho Dokpesi, the Ezomo of Wappawuno, a highly educated man, a Phd holder at 26, a helper of the poor and an educator of thousands. A great thinker, a loving man, a patriot, a co-founder of the first wholly owned indigenous shipping line in Nigeria, a giant who passed in tragic circumstances, in the morning of May 29, 2023.
Raymond Dokpesi, a moving train, a man of immense energy and charisma. I knew him closely as I served on the Editorial Board of the DAAR Group! He was also a close personal elder friend and motivator.
He was the media mogul, visionary, and fervent advocate of good governance, his untimely demise has left an indelible void in Nigeria’s media landscape and in the hearts of countless individuals who admired and respected him. His tentacles spanned various sectors but his main love was the media despite his PhD in Marine Engineering!
High Chief Raymond Dokpesi will forever be remembered as the pioneer of private broadcasting in Nigeria. He it was that started private radio and television stations in Nigeria.
Through his relentless efforts, he birthed the iconic RAYPOWER 100.5FM and the African Independent Television (AIT), platforms that have been in the forefront of educating, informing, and entertaining Nigerians for decades.
His commitment to quality broadcasting brought about a new era in Nigerian media, thus empowering citizens with knowledge while bridging gaps in society.
Beyond the success of his broadcast stations, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi stood as one of the foremost employers of journalists in Nigeria. His dedication to nurturing journalistic talent and providing a platform for their voices to be heard is a testament to his belief in the power of the Fourth Estate.
He recognized the essential role that journalists play in a functioning democracy and invested in their growth, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives reached the Nigerian audience.
Moreover, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi was an unwavering champion of good governance and a staunch opponent of anti-democratic forces. His platform became a stronghold against those who sought to undermine the principles of democracy, most notably during the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. It was AIT that provided the primary platform for the truncation of Obasanjo’s Third Term! You see, Obasanjo had wanted to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally allowed two term maximum tenure.
Dokpesi when faced with that attempt to extend presidential term limits beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms, fearlessly challenged the establishment by providing a voice to the voiceless and standing up for the constitutional ideals of democracy in Nigeria. It can be said and truthfully so, that without Dokpesi and his AIT, Obasanjo would have had his third term.
As a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), High Chief Raymond Dokpesi worked hard to reform that party, his efforts to lead the party failed because he was seen as unyielding good governance advocate.
Recognizing the corruption and greed that had plagued the PDP and caused its defeat in the 2015 historic election, he took it upon himself to apologise to the Nigerian people, despite the fact that he never held any elective or appointive government position during the PDP’s 16 years administration.
That act of humility and accountability of his, exemplified his patriotism and his unwavering desire to see his country flourish. Dokpesi, sadly had to pay a huge price because of his association with the PDP as the APC government was antagonistic towards him and his broadcast stations.
In June 2019 Chief Raymond Dokpesi, had accused the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of undue harassment and intimidation of African Independent Television/Raypower with the intention of gagging the press.
Dokpsei who led the management team of AIT/Raypower radio in a protest to the National Assembly and Embassies, also accused the then Director General of NBC, Modibo Ishaq Kawo, of incompetence, bias and partisanship in the management of television and radio regulatory agency. He further urged the presidency to sack Modibo for bringing affairs of the Commission to disrepute.
Dokpesi who took time to trace the role played by the media house in Nigeria’s chequered history of struggle against military rule and for press freedom said, “Our audiences who were unborn or were too young to track our pedigree in this industry, it is important to emphasis that DAAR Communications Plc has played this important role and stood by the tenets of the profession since we started broadcasting in 1993. We have suffered harassment from successive governments since the days of General Sani Abacha and the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.
“For the benefit of our detractors that attribute our positions to partisan politics, allow me recap some of the notable critical positions we took against successive PDP administrations starting with President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999: Tenure Presidency, Party Issue 1999 – 2007, Olusegun Obasanjo 3rd Term Agenda; 2007 – 2011, Umaru Yar’Adua, PDP Doctrine of Necessity, 2011 – 2015 Goodluck Jonathan, PDP Fuel Subsidy Removal.
“Many of our viewers who raised the loudest plaudits for our actions then are now part of and hold senior positions in the ruling party, the APC. They know and understand the power of the media and a free press and understand that the pen is mightier than the sword. DAAR Communications Plc remains one of the few remaining independent media organisations operating without any fear or hindrance.
“We cannot separate the proclamations from senior members of the Buhari presidency, the demolition of our security infrastructure by the FCDA, the threatening letters and fines from the industry regulator and a number of other actions we have been duly notified of being plotted and in the pipelines, from desperate attempts to gag, muzzle, restrain and impair our operations and reportage.”
In his speech at that protest, the late media mogul gave a brief account of his undeniable pivotal role in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria and as a bastion of the continuous fight for press freedom. He taught us to be vigilante over our democracy and press freedom and ensure that both are protected at all times from threats by elected and appointed political leaders.
Not only was High Chief Raymond Dokpesi a beacon of truth and progress, but he also played a pivotal role in the success of Nigeria’s entertainment industry. His commitment to supporting the burgeoning Nigerian film industry, fondly known as Nollywood, cannot be overstated. By generously providing free advertisement slots on AIT for Nigerian movie producers, Dokpesi propelled the industry forward, helping to shape it into the vibrant powerhouse that it is today. Countless actors, directors, and filmmakers owe their success to his unwavering support and dedication.
High Chief Raymond Dokpesi’s legacy extends beyond his professional achievements. He was a man of deep compassion and philanthropy, dedicating his resources to uplifting those in need. His generosity knew no bounds, and his contributions to various causes have left an indelible impact on the lives of countless Nigerians. Whether it was supporting education, healthcare, or social welfare initiatives, his commitment to bettering society resonated throughout the nation.
As we bid farewell to this extraordinary individual, let us remember High Chief Raymond Dokpesi as a trailblazer, a visionary, and a true patriot. His legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Nigeria’s media history, his commitment to good governance an inspiration to future generations, and his contribution to the entertainment industry a testament to his visionary spirit. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory continue to inspire us to strive for a better Nigeria, one rooted in fairness and justice.
Despite his many achievements, Dr Ray Dokpesi was a remarkably humble man. He had an open-door policy and his dinner table was open to all, friends and staff alike. He encouraged many including my late good friend, Sam Nda-Isaiah, the founder of Leadership Group. He didn’t know the concept of competition as he also assisted even radio and TV stations that were competing with his own. He indeed was a great man.
May he find rest and solace in the bossom of the Lord. Amen.
MAY NIGERIA REBOUND
