ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Senate urged the Federal Government to immortalize High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of AIT/Raypower, and the Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom, Edo State, during their session on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Dokpesi passed away on May 29, 2023, following a brief illness. The Senate observed a moment of silence in honour of the late media magnate and resolved to send a delegation to convey their condolences to his family.
These resolutions followed a motion titled “Demise of High Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi PhD, DSC, FNSE, OFR” sponsored by Senator Francis Alimikhena, PDP, Edo North and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Tariff, and Excise.
Senator Alimikhena paid tribute to Dokpesi’s significant contributions to national development and urged the Senate to call upon the Federal Government to immortalize him.
Dokpesi, who was born on October 25, 1951, in Ibadan, Oyo State, hails from Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government of Edo State. He completed his early education in Loyola College, Ibadan, and Immaculate Conception College, Benin City, before pursuing his Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate Degrees at the University of Wyzsaza Gdynia in Poland.
He was a trailblazer in Nigerian media, establishing the first independent radio station, Ray Power FM, in 1993, and the first global satellite television station, Africa Independent Television (AIT), in Nigeria in 1996.
The Senate also acknowledged Dokpesi’s political contributions, recalling his role as Political Campaign Manager to Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, which led Tukur into the Gongola State Government House as Governor. Despite failing to secure the PDP National Chairmanship position in 2017, Dokpesi remained a prominent political figure.
In addition to his roles in media and politics, Dokpesi was a committed leader, a perfect gentleman, a nationalist, and a philanthropist. Senators Matthew Urhoghide, Clifford Ordia, George Thompson Sekibo, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Biodun Olujimi, Smart Adeyemi, and Ovie Omo-Agege paid tribute to Dokpesi’s pioneering efforts and contributions to Nigerian society.
The Senate concluded by expressing regret that his passing is a significant loss to his family, Daar Communications, Uwanno Kingdom, the government of Edo State, and Nigeria as a whole.
