By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Alumni Association of the National Institute, AANI has condoled with the family, friends and Nigerians on the loss of the broadcast communication guru, entrepreneur, and elder statesman, High Chief (Dr) Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM.
AANI’s condolence message was contained in a statement on Thursday signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Institute, Brig. Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), on behalf of the National President, MD Abubakar, a former Inspector-General of Police, and the Association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and the entire AANI members.
The statement read, “Dr Dokpesi pioneered the Nigerian media industry, making significant contributions throughout his career. He achieved several notable firsts, including being the first Nigerian to obtain a private radio station licence, a shipping line licence, and a privately owned television station.
“In addition, Raypower 100.5FM, his radio station, was the first privately owned radio station in Nigeria, while Africa Independent Television became the first African broadcast station to transmit to the USA.
“In addition to his accomplishments in the media sector, Dr Dokpesi served the nation in the private and public sectors in various capacities, thus making tremendous contributions to national development and positively impacting the lives of Nigerians.
“He worked with the Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation as the Head of the Water Transport Division between 1978 and 1983. His dedication to national development extended beyond broadcasting, as he established the first indigenous shipping line in Nigeria.
“Recognising his contributions, Dr Dokpesi was awarded the National Honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008. His commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s information, socio-economic, and political spheres through his television and radio stations is a testament to his patriotism and dedication to the country.
“The nation, his family, and his friends will all feel the loss of the High Chief (Dr.) Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, OFR. Therefore, the entire AANI, the leading think tank on policy and strategy in Nigeria, mourns the great, patriotic, and detribalised Nigerian and conveys our condolences to his family, friends, Darr Communication, and all Nigerians.
“May his soul rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations in the Nigerian media industry and beyond.”
Dokpesi died on Monday, May 29 at the age of 71 years. He passed on at a hospital in Abuja, according to a statement issued by the family.
