Renowned marine engineer, businessman, politician and founding chairman of DAAR Communications Ltd, High Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, recently passed on at the age of 71. The prominent politician and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) died on May 29.
He died at a time when his counsel and services would be mostly needed. Since his death, eminent Nigerians have eulogised his sterling qualities and invaluable contributions to the development of private media broadcasting in the country as well as the growth of the nation’s democracy.
A statement by the Group Managing Director of DAAR Communications, Tony Akiotu, indicated that the Ezomo of Weppa Wanno was recovering from an undisclosed illness, when he died. According to his son, Raymond Dokpesi (Jnr), the late politician, entrepreneur and cultural icon was a respected and accomplished businessman, a pioneer in the media industry, and a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of his country.
The late Dokpesi was a man of many parts. He had a flourishing career that cut across the media, politics and the maritime sector. Dokpesi was born on October 25, 1951. He had his early education at Loyola College Ibadan and proceeded to Immaculate Conception College in Benin City for his secondary school education. He attended the University of Benin before travelling abroad for his master’s and doctorate degrees in Wyzsza Szokta Morska Gdynia and University of Gdansk Sopot in Poland.
Dokpesi started his career as the Personal Assistant to Bamaga Tukur, one of the general managers of the Nigerian Ports Authority. He also worked with different government parastatals including the Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation as the Head of the Water Transport Division on Secondment from Nigerian Ports Plc between 1978-1983. Among his supervisors were Second Republic politician, Umaru Dikko and General Garba Wushishi.
He served as the Chief of Staff of the Gongola State Government under Bamanga Tukur, from October to December 1983 and subsequently the Managing Director of African Ocean Line Limited from 1984-1988. In 1994, Dokpesi launched the first Nigerian private FM radio station, RayPower. Two years later, he launched Africa Independent Television (AIT). He equally made indelible marks in politics. Until his passage, Dokpesi was a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP. In the concluded 2023 general election, he was the leader of the technical committee, Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign organisation. He had played similar roles in the past. In the Second Republic, he was the political campaign manager for Bamanga Tukur, which saw the latter winning the governorship election of the then Gongola State. Dokpesi assumed the same role during Adamu Ciroma’s presidential campaign and subsequently, Tukur’s presidential campaign in the 1993 Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s political transition programme.
He did so for Dr. Peter Odili in the run up to the 2011 PDP presidential election campaigns. In 2017, Dokpesi contested for the PDP National Chairmanship position, but lost to Uche Secondus. He was one of the leaders of the South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA), an organisation that seeks to promote the interest of the South-South people.
On account of his contributions to national development, Dokpesi was bestowed with the National Honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).Although Dokpesi trained as a marine engineer, he was popularly known for his exploits in the media industry and politics. He was a great patriot and a detribalised Nigerian. He used his media organisations to champion free speech and other human rights. He contributed so much to the development of our democracy. From a humble beginning, Dokpesi rose to prominence by dint of hard work and perseverance. Dokpesi was a great mentor and a role model. His politics was devoid of rancour and bitterness associated with politics in this part of the world. He was an exemplary leader and astute politician.
Dokpesi will be remembered for pioneering private radio and television broadcasting in Nigeria. Based on his trail blazing role in private broadcasting and his unwavering efforts in deepening our democracy, we urge the federal government to immortalise him.
In Dokpesi’s death, Nigeria has lost a great politician, businessman and media icon. We commiserate with his family over the irreparable loss. May God grant him eternal rest.