WorldStage Newsonline– President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of the founder of Daar Communications, owners of African Independence Television (AIT) and Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
Dokpesi died on Monday at an Abuja hospital.
In a statement from his office on Monday evening, the President described the death of the media mogul as a huge loss to the Nigerian media industry and the country.
“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.
JONATHAN
Former President Goodluck Jonathan in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja on Tuesday, said that Nigeria has lost a true patriot and fair-minded nation builder.
The former President said Dokpesi was a successful entrepreneur, media mogul and philanthropist, who took the art of giving to a new level and made significant contributions to human progress.
Jonathan, who was one of the early sympathisers to visit the Dokpesi family in Abuja last Monday, said that he cultivated the kind of friendship with Dokpesi that stood the test of time.
“He was a humane businessman and philanthropist who took the art of giving and human relations to a new level.
“As a patriot and politician, he exemplified the virtues of loyalty, justice and service. A team player and bridge builder, High Chief Dokpesi played the kind of politics that promoted friendship, ethnic cohesion and national unity.
“He will be remembered for his works of charity, devotion to his faith and inspiring leadership, especially serving as a trailblazer who pioneered private broadcasting and played a major role in advancing media freedom in Nigeria,” he said.
SENATE PRESIDENT
The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan in a statement on Monday in Abuja by Mr Ola Awoniyi, his Special Adviser on Media, described the death of the founder of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM Radio as a great loss to the Nigerian polity and media industry.
He said Dokpesi made immense contributions to politics and the evolution of private media in Nigeria and Africa.
The senate president said Dokpesi established the first private television network in Nigeria, Africa’s first private satellite television and first privately owned radio station in Nigeria.
“I commiserate with the immediate family of Dr Raymond Dokpesi, staff of AIT/Ray power FM radio and the media industry at large on this great loss.
“They should all be consoled that Dr Dokpesi made his mark in business, politics and the media industry and lived a fulfilled life,” Lawan said.
He prayed to God to grant him eternal rest and comfort his loved ones.
SANWO-OLU
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State in a condolence statement by his Media Adviser, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the late Dokpesi was a true titan of the media industry.
He described the death as a colossal loss to Nigeria, while sympathising with the entire management and staff of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM, as well as friends and associates of the deceased.
According to him, the late Dokpesi would be remembered for breaking the monopoly of government-owned broadcasting in Nigeria, with the establishment of the first private radio station, Ray Power FM.
”On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I mourn the passage of the businessman and media guru, who contributed his quota to the economy of Lagos State, by providing job opportunities for many young Lagos residents in the media sector.
”High Chief Raymond Dokpesi was a forerunner in private broadcasting in Nigeria. He established the first privately owned television and radio in Nigeria.
”His bold decision to break the government monopoly in the broadcasting sector gave birth to hundreds of privately owned television and radio stations in Nigeria,” he said.
The governor said that late Dokpesi was also an active participant in Nigeria politics during the present Fourth Republic and served his party and Nigeria in different capacities.
He said that the AIT Founder was a philanthropist, who dedicated his life to the service of his community, state, and country.
”His dedication to his profession and job creation in the media sector will be cherished. He leaves behind a legacy of breaking barriers and serving his community.
”May his legacy inspire future generations to strive for excellence in the media sector.
”I pray for the repose of the soul of the late Dr Dokpesi and pray that God grants the media industry and the deceased family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Sanwo-Olu said.
PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday mourned the Founder of Daar Communications and African Independent Television (AIT), Chief Raymond Dokpesi, also known as Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, in a statement in Abuja, described Dokpesi as an exceptionally committed and courageous nationalist, an insightful and loyal party man; brilliant and resourceful entrepreneur.
He said that the PDP family was devastated by the death of one of its leading lights, member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC), media mogul, Statesman and Patriarch of the Dokpesi family.
“Dokpesi was steadfast in his selfless contributions towards the unity, stability and development of our great Party and the nation at large.
“As a patriotic Nigerian, Dokpesi deployed his media empire of AIT, Ray Power FM and Faaji FM to champion the course of national development, promoted greater and affordable access to information across the country.
“He stimulated good governance, enhanced economic growth and development in all critical sectors and opened our nation to international limelight and opportunities.
“He was a detribalized Nigerian, who put the interest and wellbeing of our nation above every other consideration and made numerous positive landmarks in our national political, economic and social landscapes,” he said.
Ologunagba said that Dokpesi’s death was indeed a colossal national loss and a big blow to the PDP family.
He condoled with the Dokpesi family, the Daar Communication Group, the government and people of Edo State, the Weppa-Wanno Kingdom and the Edo PDP family.
Ologunagba prayed to the Almighty God to grant all the fortitude to bear the devastating loss and also grant Dokpesi, eternal rest in His bosom.
ATIKU
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed shock at the passing of the founder of Africa Independent Television (AIT), High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, in Abuja on Monday described Dokpesi death as lost of a friend.
He described Dokpesi, who died at age 71, as a trailblazer who reshaped the Nigerian business landscape in every sphere of his endeavour.
“Ezemo, as we fondly called, was an enigmatic business personality, a news maker in life and, sadly, even in death.”
Abubakar, who expressed shock about Dokpesi, said he entered the corporate landscape at a relatively young age, proving the merit of his creativity with distinction.
“Ezemo was my friend, brother, counsellor, and associate, all rolled into one. He was honest, detribalised, loyal, and supremely hard working.
“Once committed to a cause, he will see it to a conclusion,” he said.
He prayed for Dokpesi immediate family to have the fortitude to bear the loss of a patriarch.
He also expressed his deepest condolences to the management and staff of AIT, the PDP, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, and the people and government of Edo State over the loss of an impactful patriot.
LAGOS PDP
The Lagos State chapter of the PDP has described the death of the Chairman, DAAR Communications and Founder of AIT and Ray Power FM, Chief Raymond Dokpesi as a rude shock, great loss and painful to the party.
Reacting, PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Hakeem Amode, who commiserated with the family, members of staff, management of DAAR Communications and the party in a statement in Lagos, said that PDP would miss Dokpesi.
Amode said: “The death of the founder of AIT and Raypower, High Chief (Dr) Raymond Dokpesi, got to us in the Lagos state chapter of the PDP as a rude shock.
“We are amazed by the news of the death of the successful businessman and a strong member of our party, who died on Monday.
“The death of Dokpesi has definitely created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill but we are consoled by the fact that he left a good legacy as a committed member of the party.
“The death of Dokpesi at this time, when our nation is passing through its worst moment, is regrettable, and he will surely be missed by all of us.”
According to him, the party is now left with his memories and contributions to the development of PDP which are immeasurable.
“Those of us in the Lagos state chapter of the PDP will particularly miss him and we pray that God will grant him eternal rest.
“We, however, wish to express our condolence to his family members, including his wives, children and relatives.
“We also wish to condole with the entire members of the PDP both in Edo and entire Nigeria.
“Our prayer is that God will give both his family members and members of the PDP the fortitude to bear this great loss,” the spokesman said.
MURRAY-BRUCE, MOMODU
Some politicians and celebrities have described the death of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman, DAAR Communications and founder of AIT and Ray Power FM, as a great loss to the media industry.
A former federal lawmaker, Sen. Shehu Sani, on Twitter, expressed shock at the news of the death of the media icon.
“I received the shocking news of the demise of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi. He was a detribalised Nigerian and a patriot who has made tremendous contribution to the struggle, restoration and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
“He raised the bar in professional broadcasting and was a champion of press freedom. He fought many political battles in the pursuit of justice and freedom. Dokpesi was an institution and his life an inspiration. Life is transient. May his soul rest in Peace. Amin,” he said.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on his Twitter account wrote, “I am in a state of shock! As we say in Islam: from God, we came, and to Him, we return.
“I am in prayers and will continue in prayers! My everlasting and deepest condolences to the Raymond Dokpesi family. May God forgive his sins and grant him eternal rest. Ezemo, not on a date like this should you leave us! -AA.”
Media mogul, Dele Momodu, also shared a condolence message on his Instagram page mourning the death of Dokpesi.
“This is too sad to bear. Our media IROKO is gone… Good night High Chief Dr Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi. May your great soul Rest In Peace,” he said.
Nigerian politician, Ben Murray-Bruce, mourning the media icon on his Twitter page said, “Chief Dokpesi left an indelible mark on the world of media and broadcasting.
“It is with a profound sense of sorrow that I learned of the passing of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, a monumental figure whose influence and contribution to society will never be forgotten.
“Chief Dokpesi left an indelible mark on the world of media and broadcasting, instilling a standard of excellence and professionalism that remains unparalleled. His tireless efforts to foster unity and promote progress will always be remembered and appreciated.
“While we mourn this immense loss, we also celebrate a life of purpose and impact. My deepest condolences to the Dokpesi family—our thoughts and prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time.
“We hope that you find solace in the knowledge that Chief Dokpesi’s legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Nigerian singer, Eedris Abdulkareem, on his Instagram page prayed that God comfort the family and that the soul of Dokpesi rest in peace.
“My condolences to the family of Chief Raymond Dopeso. Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. “I am thinking of you and your family and sending caring thoughts your way, may the lord rest the soul of chief and grant him eternal rest Amen,” he said.