Dokpesi, The Trail-blazer, Goes Home

Pioneers, in all climes and spheres of life, sweep the floor and lay the ground rules on which subsequent entrants emulate and build on.  Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, born on October 25, 1951, personifies this aphorism. He blazed the trail in indigenous shipping business and helped shape policy that enhanced the participation of Nigerians in a sector that was dominated by foreign lines.

To many, himself inclusive, the short lifespan of that business may be regrettable. But it did not daunt an enterprising spirit easily found in this man Dokpesi, a well-trained marine engineer. If anything, it actually defined his audacious inclination to succeed against all odds.

Misfortune that befell Africa Ocean Lines, the first indigenous shipping line in Africa, established in the 1980s, opened his eyes to the uncertainties of joint entrepreneurship especially when such efforts involve those who believe in dominating people, using them and dumping them. To all intents, that experience provided the launching pad for future endeavours that made him the man of history he became.

The National Broadcasting Commission Decree, promulgated in the 1990s, was epochal as it opened the gate to entrepreneurs to explore the then uncharted sea of private participation in broadcast journalism. Before then, it was dominated by public sector, that is to say the government. It was on the basis of this context that most people were surprised when Dokpesi, a non-media person, launched out into this sector that was strewn with landmines at a time the military government made it known that independent opinion in the media was merely to be tolerated, if the experience of newspapers was anything to go by. Even worse was the inaccessibility of funds as banks loathed financing businesses with long gestation periods. Dokpesi trudged on regardless and until his demise early this week, proved that willpower was the deciding factor when confronted with challenges. But like an old, battle-tested soldier, he has merely faded away and will be eloquently remembered for the giant strides he made in the broadcasting industry and public life in Nigeria.

It is an existential fact that two things face every human being and they are uniquely unavoidable. One is life, the other is death. In between are legacies and Dokpesi left plenty of those for posterity, that dispassionate judge. Raypower, as he was fondly called, was ardent at multi-tasking. He also believed, unyieldingly, in nurturing and mentoring talents who he challenged with schedules that can only bring out the best in any one willing and ready to soar and conquer.  More than that, he was imbued with a proverbial large heart ever willing to render a helping hand to anyone who knocks on his door.

Dokpesi, was an acknowledged beacon of light in the Nigerian mass media industry with his company, DAAR Communications, which later gave birth to, first, Raypower radio stations, the Television network, Africa Independent Television (AIT) and, of course, satellite television. On September 20, 2003, AIT launched its signals in the United States. Presently, the medium is received in America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe-wide on the Hot bird satellite as well as countries within Africa. This, in our view, is a telling expression of one who sees himself as a man of the world desirous of planting his footprints in the indelible sands of time.

Through these channels, he gave an authoritative perspective to Nigerian and, indeed, African issues at a time news of whatever kind, was skewed against Africans.   A bundle of boundless energy, he found time for politics not on the periphery but in the mainstream and was persecuted so as to blunt the audacity of his media outfits. Unlike most entrepreneurs in the media sector, Dokpesi kept politics off his media group thereby providing a platform for every viewpoint. His was the quintessential market place of ideas.

Dokpesi started his early schooling with Loyola College, Ibadan. After this, he joined the Immaculate Conception College (ICC) in Benin City where he was a pioneer member of Ozolua Play house, a dance/drama group. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Benin, Edo State and completed his studies in University of Gdansk, Poland where he earned his doctorate degree in Marine Engineering.

This newspaper is persuaded to emphasize that Dopkesi was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He rose to the pinnacle of success by pulling himself by the bootstrap. He believed in himself, a quality that attracted assistance, in some cases, from the most unlikely sources.

Since the sad news of his passing broke on the very day the nation was transiting to a perceptibly new democratic order, the floodgate of encomiums from across socio-political strata has not ceased. He is appreciated for his contributions to making humanity a better place than he met it. Now that the father and grandfather has joined the Saints Triumphant at the age of 71, we pray that his soul will find a deserved rest in the bosom of the Lord whom he served unreservedly with his resources and to the best of his ability.