Raymond Dokpesi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and founder, DAAR Communications plc, has died at the age of 71.
In a statement by the family ,signed by Raymond Dokpesi (JNR) on Monday, saying the media mogul died at a hospital in Abuja.
According to him ‘’It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi (Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom) who passed away on May 29th, 2023. High Chief Dokpesi was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
High Chief Dokpesi was also a respected and accomplished businessman, a pioneer in the media industry, and a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of his country and his community. His legacy will live on through the impact he made on the lives of many.
The Dokpesi family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. We ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of our patriarch. We also ask for privacy during this time as we grieve together as a family.
The family will release further details on the funeral arrangements in due course.
Meanwhile ,family source who doesn’t want to be mentioned, Dokpesi had noted that suffered a stroke shortly after the recent Ramadan fast and had been managing his health since.
The family source said that Dokpesi was eventually placed on occupational therapy to improve his daily activities through walking out at the gym.
The source said during one of his routine gym exercises, Dokpesi was electrocuted while using one of the gym equipment, leading to stroke and his eventual death.
In 2020, Raymond Dokpesi and members of his family were hospitalized at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital after they were diagnosed with COVID-19. They, however, survived the disease.
Dokpesi founded the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM and was the deputy Director-General of technical and systems of Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Council.
.Dokpesi’s death a blow to media industry – Tinubu
The President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Monday mourned the death of Daar Communications founder and owner of African Independence Television, Raymond Dokpesi, saying he would be sorely missed.
Dokpesi died on Monday at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.
Tinubu’s condolence message was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by his media officer, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
The President described the death of the media mogul as a huge loss to the Nigerian media industry and the country.
He said, “The death of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi is a blow to the media industry where he has played pioneering roles in private broadcasting. His pacesetting investment in the industry is an inspiration to many who come after him.
“The history of the evolution of the Nigerian media industry will be incomplete without prominent mention of Dokpesi and his giant footprints on the media landscape.
“I express my sincere condolences to the management and staff of Daar Communications and the family of the late media entrepreneur for this monumental loss,” he said.
.I’ve lost a friend and brother – Atiku
Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has mourned the passing of the founder of Africa Independent Television, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
Atiku, in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, notes that the late Dokpesi was a trailblazer who reshaped the Nigerian business landscape in every sphere of his endeavour.
According to the statement, “Ezemo, as we fondly called, was an enigmatic business personality, a news maker in life and, sadly, even in death.”
Atiku’s immediate reaction to the news of Dokpesi’s death is an expression of grief and shock, saying: “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! 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!”
According to the statement, Dokpesi entered the corporate landscape at a relatively young age, proving the merit of his creativity with distinction.
The former Vice President said that he enjoyed a close-knit relationship with the late Dokpesi, and the news of his death came to him with a rude shock. “Ezemo was my friend, brother, counsellor, and associate, all rolled into one. He was honest, detribalised, loyal, and supremely hard working. Once committed to a cause, he will see it to a conclusion.”
He prays for his immediate family to have the fortitude to bear the loss of a patriarch. He also expressed his deepest condolences to the management and staff of AIT, the PDP, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, and the people and government of Edo State over the loss of an impactful patriot.
.Lagos PDP Expresses Shock over Death Of AIT Founder, Raymond Dokpesi
The death of the founder of AIT and Raypower, High Chief (Dr.) Raymond Dokpesi, got to us in the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a rude shock.
We were amazed by the news of the death of the successful businessman and a strong member of our party, who died on Monday.
His son, Raymond Dokpesi (Jnr), had said that the media mogul and politician passed on this morning in Abuja after a brief illness.
We however, wish to express our condolence to his family members, including his wives, children and relatives.
We also wish to condole with the entire members of the PDP both in Edo State and entire Nigeria.
The death of Dr. Dokpesi has definitely created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill, but we are consoled by the fact that he left a good legacy as a committed member of the party.
Our prayer is that God will give both his family members and members of the PDP the fortitude to bear this great loss.
The death of Dr. Dokpesi at this time, when our nation is passing through its worst moment, is regrettable, and he will surely be missed by all of us.
We are now left with the memories of Dr. Dokpesi, whose contributions to the development of our party are immeasurable.
Those of us in the Lagos State chapter of the PDP will particularly miss him and we pray that God will grant him eternal rest.
Recall that High Chief Dokpesi pioneered private broadcasting in Nigeria and was until his demise a chieftain of the PDP.
Also, The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of the Founder of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, describing him as the “pioneer of private broadcast media in Nigeria”
In a statement, the governor said Chief Dopkesi was an illustrious son of Edo State, who recorded indelible achievements that marked him out as one of Nigeria’s most impactful media executives.
According to him, “The Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno, Chief Dokpesi was an outstanding businessman and indeed, a media mogul, who took the bold step to venture into private broadcasting and broke the ground for many who came after him.
“He was a pacesetter and brave in his quest to build Africa’s most enterprising, private broadcasting brand.
“Chief Dokpesi was a man of many parts. From his early academic exploits as a scholar in Poland, he returned to Nigeria to establish himself as an expert in the shipping business. He set up Nigeria’s first shipping line before venturing into broadcasting upon the deregulation of the media business in the country.”
The governor said Chief Dokpesi established the Africa Independent Television (AIT), which recorded many firsts in the broadcasting business, becoming Nigeria’s first satellite television, adding “He expanded the enterprise to North America and Europe, promoting Nigeria’s outstanding entrepreneurial flair.”
He continued, “He was a formidable Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing his experience and expertise to bear in handling party affairs.
“A worthy ambassador of the Edo State, Chief Dopkesi will be remembered for his knack for excellence and unwavering spirit of enterprise.
“I commiserate with the Dokpesi family, the good people of Weppa-Wanno, the Board and management of Daar Communications as well as friends and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
