Tributes to late media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi

Tributes have continued to pour in for the late founding Chairman, DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi. The media tycoon passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023 at age 71.

Background

Dokpesi was born on October 25, 1951. He attended Ebenezer African Church School, and Immaculate Conception College, both in Benin City, for his primary and secondary education respectively. He is a graduate of the University of Benin.

Career

With Raypower 100.5FM, Dokpesi was the first person to get a license for private radio broadcast in Nigeria. In addition, his television station, Africa Independent Television, was the first African broadcast station to transmit to the USA.

He worked with the Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation as the Head of the Water Transport Division on Secondment from Nigerian Ports Plc between 1978 and 1983.

From October to December 1983, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Gongola State Government and subsequently the Managing Director of African Ocean Line Limited between 1984 and 1988.

In 2008, Dokpesi was conferred with a national honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Tributes

In his condolence message, former Vice President and the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said he is in shock.

He said, “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!”

On his part, a former Governor of Rivers State and a former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, described Dokpesi as a man who was concerned about the country’s political landscape.

In his words, “The news of his passing is indeed shocking and difficult to digest. He was also a man who was concerned about the country’s political landscape and contributed his part in national politics. His death is indeed a huge loss not only to his family and the broadcasting industry but to the country. I pray that God will grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Also, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has expressed his grief over the passing of the media mogul.

Lawan said, “I commiserate with the immediate family of Dr Raymond Dokpesi, staff of AIT/RayPower 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.”