Political leaders and academics in Nigeria have expressed deep sadness and grief over the passing of Raymond Dokpesi, the media entrepreneur and founder of the first private television and radio stations in the country. The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minority Caucus in the House and the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, were among those who issued statements expressing their condolences.
In his statement titled ‘Senate President Mourns Media Mogul Raymond Dokpesi,’ Lawan described Dokpesi’s death as a great loss to the Nigerian polity and media industry. He credited Dokpesi for establishing the first private television network, Africa’s first private satellite television and first privately-owned radio station in Nigeria. Lawan also expressed sympathy to Dokpesi’s family, staff of the media establishments he founded and the media industry at large.
Gbajabiamila equally expressed his grief over the loss of the media pioneer in his statement titled ‘Gbajabiamila Sad Over Dokpesi’s Death.’ He described Dokpesi as a patriotic Nigerian who combined media entrepreneurship with politics, noting that the late entrepreneur’s legacy in the private media landscape in Nigeria would not be forgotten.
The Minority Caucus in the House described Dokpesi as a highly resourceful entrepreneur with a philanthropic spirit. In their statement titled ‘Reps Minority Caucus Mourns Chief Raymond Dokpesi,’ the lawmakers expressed their condolences to the Dokpesi family, the Daar Communication Group, the Government and people of Edo State and the Weppa-Wanno Kingdom. They prayed for strength for all to bear the loss and for the faithful departed, eternal rest.
Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, described Dokpesi’s contributions to journalism and entertainment as significant. In a condolence message titled ‘Prof Sulaiman Describes Dokpesi’s Death as Great Loss to the Nation,’ Sulaiman mourned the media entrepreneur’s death and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and staff of AIT and Raypower FM.
The passing of Raymond Dokpesi is a great loss to the media industry and Nigeria as a whole. However, his legacy as a pioneer and visionary will continue to inspire future generations. May his soul rest in peace.
