Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed shock over the demise of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
Dokpesi died on Monday at an Abuja hospital.
Atiku, in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, noted that Dokpesi was a trailblazer who reshaped the Nigerian business landscape in every sphere of his endeavour, saying that he had lost a friend and brother.
The statement quoted Atiku as exclaiming: “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!”
“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.”
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed sadness over the death of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications and owner of African Independence Television (AIT) and Raypower.
In a statement, Tinubu described the death of the media mogul as a huge loss to the Nigerian media industry and the country.
“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.
The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday mourned the death of the founder of AIT and Raypower, High Chief (Dr.) Raymond Dokpesi describes it as a rude shock.
The party, in a statement by the publicity secretary, Hakeem Amode, condoled with members of the PDP both in Edo State and throughout Nigeria.
“We were amazed by the news of the death of the successful businessman and a strong member of our party, who died on Monday.
“We however, wish to express our condolences to his family members, including his wives, children and relatives.
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“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.”
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki also mourned the passing of Dokpesi, describing him as the “pioneer of private broadcast media in Nigeria.”
In a statement, the Governor said Dopkesi was an illustrious son of Edo who recorded indelible achievements that marked him 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.”
The Governor said 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.”
Also, a former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has described the death of Dokpesi as a big loss. Oyinlola, in a statement yesterday, said Dokpesi’s death had robbed him of a brother and a friend of almost 40 years.
He stated that Dokpesi was a dogged fighter in politics, an astute businessman and a media owner. Oyinlola prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Dokpesi’s death was announced on Sunday in a statement signed by his son, Raymond Dokpesi (Jnr).
His son said the media mogul and politician passed on this morning in Abuja after a brief illness.
Details about the circumstances surrounding his death were not revealed, but the family promised to make further remarks later.