Raymond Dokpesi(1951-2023)
A true faithful,patriot and media guru
There is a Bible passage which says,”Precious in the sight of the Lord,is the death of His faithful”.
This aptly describes the huge outpouring of sympathy and tributes following the death of Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi,chairman of DAAR Communications and owner of the first private radio and television broadcast stations in Nigeria namely the African Independent Television(AIT)and Ray Power FM radio.
Chief Dokpesi reportedly died on May 29,2023 thus ending abruptly his adventurous life full of landmarks,generousity,compassion and charity to the weak,poor and downtrodden.
According to family sources,Chief Dokpesi’s remains would be buried on 22 June 2023 at his residence in Agenebode,Edo state.
The late Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi was no doubt a famous Nigerian media giant.
His parents were from Agenebode,Edo State,Nigeria.He was said to have entered the Nigerian mass media industry with his company DAAR Communications and set up the Nigerian TV network,African Independent Television.
He attended Catholic schools namely Loyola College Ibadan and the Immaculate Conception College Ibadan before proceeding to University of Gdansk in Poland.
From the foregoing,it shows that the late Chief Dokpesi had a strong Catholic background having attended notable Catholic schools during his secondary school days.
He demonstrated his Catholic faith through many works of charity and provided hundreds of jobs to young Nigerians.
Chief Dokpesi demonstrated patriotism with his media outfits through which he gave ordinary Nigerians voice to speak truth to power and develop the culture of democracy and effective political engineering and discuss.
The radio and television arms of DAAR Communications,AIT and Ray Power FM also provided entertainment and showcased Nigeria’s cultural heritage to the world.
Dokpesi was a bridge builder whose demise is still difficult to believe among Nigerians who he touched their lives positively.
At 26,Dokpesi had clinched his doctorate degree in Marine Engineering.He practically excelled in all he set his goal.He married a Polish woman and carried his family with great christian values.
Indeed,there are not many Nigerians like him.He exhibited brilliance,passion, commitment,courage and foresight.
The Catholic Church is saddened by the death of Chief Dokpesi who has assisted the church in many ways.For instance,Chief Dokpesi offered his services to the church by donating air time for live transmission of Sunday masses on AIT.This has lasted since the past 11 years !
The outpouring following his death has been unprecedented with the high,the low and mighty mourning his death.
Chief Raymond was a product of grace.His fame and popularity did not come easy.He had early health challenges which on his own account could have deterred his ambition but with faith and determination,he forged ahead and remained focused and committed.
With the death of Dokpesi,Nigeria has lost a patriot,an entrepreneur of no mean repute and a true man of faith.
May his soul rest in peace.
