Stakeholders pay tributes, pour encomiums on Dokpesi

Stakeholders in media industry have continued to pay tributes to the founder of Daar Communications and pioneer of private broadcasting in Nigeria, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

According to Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, “the NGE is saddened over the sudden passage of the Chairman of Daar Communications Ltd, owner of AIT and Raypower 100.5FM, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, recently.”

Describing Dokpesi as a disruptive innovator in the broadcast industry, they also said he worked very hard and firmly to promote independent press, freedom of the press and access to information.

“High Chief Dokpesi played a strategic role in the liberalisation of broadcasting industry in Nigeria, with his establishment of the first private radio station, Raypower 100.5FM, in Nigeria.

“An employer of many editors and hundreds of other journalists in Nigeria, he firmly used his media outfits to deepen democracy and raise the voice of the voiceless in our country. Dokpesi was a strong advocate of press freedom and independent press. The NGE worked closely with him during several attempts by the National Assembly to pass anti-media laws and his voice was very loud,” the NGE stated.

The group also said he was a caring father, visionary leader with big ideas, media mogul and philanthropist, Dokpesi made a huge impact in the media industry, land unforgettable memories in the hearts of millions of people across the country.

The NGE added, “from several testimonies of his employees, the founder of Daar Communications Ltd treated his staff members and everyone who crossed his way with love and respect,  always ready to listen and give useful advice when needed.

“He was so kind to many so much so that the life journeys of many journalists will not be complete without mentioning Dokpesi.”

While expressing its heartfelt condolences to the Dokpesi family and the entire DAAR Communications family, the NGE said that if the earth that will cover Dokpesi will be light, it is because he represented humanity and excellent services to many and his country.

Speaking in same vein, NBC Director General, Mall. Shehu Ilelah, said the broadcast industry would surely miss the great philanthropist, business mogul and pioneer of private broadcasting in Nigeria.

International Press Centre (IPC) Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, noted Dokpesi would be remembered for his foresight and courage in the Nigerian communication and media landscape, as an entrepreneur who walked where angels feared to thread.

He noted Dokpesi blazed the trail by establishing the first independent radio broadcast station in Nigeria. The birth of Ray Power and later AIT as 24-hour broadcast station have impacted the media industry very positively, while the stations have provided for generations of journalists to excel as professionals.

“They have also given the people wider access to diverse view point and offered them to contribute to issues of national and public interests,” he added.