Raymond Dokpesi, the founder of DAAR Communications, died on Monday after a fall while using a treadmill machine, a statement by DAAR Communications has said…..CONTINUE READING...CONTINUE READING
The statement, issued on Monday and signed by the Group Managing Director of DAAR Communications, Tony Akiotu, stated that Mr Dokpesi was recovering from an undisclosed illness and had to do routine exercises as part of recuperation.
Mr Akiotu stated that the media mogul was sick for some weeks before the fall that claimed his life adding that Mr Dokpesi was using the machine to exercise before the tragic event happened.
“The board and management of DAAR Communications PLC wishes to inform the general public of the death of our founder, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, of, which the sad event occurred today 29th May 2023.
“He had been ill in the last few weeks but was on his way to full recovery. He had a fall off his treadmill during a routine gym exercise.
“Further announcement as regards the burial arrangement will be made by the family,” the statement reads.
The deceased, 71, was a veteran media entrepreneur who owned television and radio stations.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported the death of Mr Dokpesi.
Raymond Dokpesi was born on 25 October 1951 in Ibadan, Oyo State. He was a journalist and founder of DAAR Communications (Africa Independent Television (AIT) and RayPower FM).
He was educated at the Loyola College Ibadan and earned a degree in Mass Communications at the University of Benin and a PhD in Communication studies from the University of Maiduguri. He was also a Commonwealth scholar at the University of Glasgow.
Mr Dokpesi served as the publicity secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) at the age of 27 in his home town, Agenebode in Edo State, Nigeria from 1978-79.
He was apprehended by the Buhari regime in 1984 and jailed for some time for allegedly contributing to the overthrow of the government of Shehu Shagari. He was later acquitted of the charges.
DAAR Communications was established in 1988 as a television and radio network by Mr Dokpesi as he aimed to create a fully indigenous Nigerian media corporation with a rich African culture.
High Chief Dokpesi was also known to be a philanthropist who contributed to the development of his community and the education sector in Nigeria.
His death is a great loss to Nigeria’s media industry…..CONTINUE READING
May his soul rest in peace.
