Follow Us on Google
By Christy Anyanwu
The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development has called on the Federal Government to immortalize High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications, for his immense contributions to broadcast journalism in Nigeria.
This call was made during the 18th Raymond Dokpesi Endurance Trek, which featured scholars of higher institutions and media executives from different platforms. The theme for this year is “Raymond Dokpesi, the beacon of hope for private broadcasting in Nigeria.”
The centre is making a strong request to the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to immortalize Dokpesi, arguing that Daar Communications Plc, which he founded is a broadcast conglomerate that remains the largest private media company in Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region.
Speaking with journalists, Dr. Christopher Ebuetse, Founder/Director General of the Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development, noted that the organization earmarked the endurance trek held yesterday to mark Dokpesi’s posthumous birthday and to promote the birth, development, and growth of private broadcasting in Nigeria.
Other News
“One man started it all in Nigeria; during the military junta, he was not afraid of being killed or being tortured. He was the flagship of private broadcasting in Nigeria,” Ebuetse said, adding that the call for his immortalization had become necessary due to his immense influence and profound role in the development of broadcasting in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
According to Ebuetse, Dokpesi’s achievements in broadcasting include being the first to start 24-hour broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and introducing state-of-the-art equipment that boosted television broadcast and production.
Dokpesi, he said, changed the face of the entertainment industry in Nigeria and promoted Nigerian music and the Nollywood industry locally and internationally.
The endurance trek took place in Alagbado, Lagos State, and Benin City, Edo State. The centre urged Nigerians, media practitioners, politicians, and those in the entertainment industry to support the call to immortalize Dokpesi.
The centre also stated that it will promote topical national issues, lending its voice to issues that will enhance national development and peace, which were the hallmarks of Dokpesi.
