Olorogun Barr Kenneth Gbagi, governorship flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State and former Minister of State for Education, has mourned the death of Daar Communications founder and owner of Africa Independent Television (AIT), Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi, saying he would be sorely missed.
A press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kenneth Orusi on Tuesday 30th May 2023, Gbagi said he received with rude shock the news of the death of High Chief Dokpesi (Ezomo of Weppa-Wanno Kingdom) who passed away on May 29th, 2023.
The SDP gubernatorial candidate who was a personal friend of the deceased, regretted the untimely death of Dokpesi, a onetime Organizing Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national conference in 2015.
The industrialist said the death of Dokpesi, a leading light, statesman and patriarch of the Dokpesi family, was a blow to the media industry where he has played pioneering roles in private broadcasting, saying “His pacesetting investment in the industry is an inspiration to many who come after him”.
He noted that late Dokpesi was an enigma in the business world, a newsmaker in life and, sadly, even in death.
“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.
According to the statement, Dokpesi entered the corporate landscape at a relatively young age, proving the merit of his creativity with distinction.
While noting that Chief Dokpesi, was a worthy ambassador of Edo State and Nigeria at large, he opined that he would be remembered for his knack for excellence and unwavering spirit of enterprise.
Gbagi said: “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”.
