Taiwo Ogunniyi
The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development has renewed its call on the Federal Government to declare October 25 as Private Broadcasting Day in Nigeria in recognition of the late media entrepreneur’s contributions to the country’s broadcasting industry.
The Centre made the appeal ahead of the 2026 Raymond Dokpesi Endurance Trek scheduled for Saturday, October 24, in Lagos State and Benin City, Edo State.
The annual event, themed “Raymond Dokpesi, the Colossus and Pathfinder of Broadcasting in Nigeria,” is aimed at celebrating the life, achievements and enduring legacy of the late founder of Raypower 100.5 FM and Africa Independent Television (AIT).
In a statement, the Director-General of the Centre, Dr Christopher Ebuetse, said the initiative was part of efforts to preserve Dokpesi’s contributions to broadcasting and sustain his ideals for the development of the Nigerian media industry.
Ebuetse said the Centre, established in 2007 by broadcasters and other media practitioners, had remained committed to promoting professional broadcasting practices and using the media to advance national development.
He said the annual endurance trek had, in previous years, been organised in different parts of Lagos and Benin City, with the campaign for the recognition of October 25 as Private Broadcasting Day remaining a central objective.
According to him, Dokpesi’s contributions to broadcasting were profound, particularly his role in opening up the industry to private participation and introducing innovations that transformed the Nigerian media landscape.
Dokpesi established Raypower FM, Nigeria’s first private radio station, followed by Africa Independent Television and, subsequently, the indigenous radio station Faaji 106.5 FM.
Ebuetse said the late media pioneer also made significant contributions to round-the-clock broadcasting, sports coverage and the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
He added that Dokpesi helped promote African music and Nollywood productions beyond Nigeria’s borders, including in the Caribbean, thereby projecting African culture and creativity to international audiences.
The Centre’s director-general said the late broadcaster’s achievements had earned him commendations from prominent Nigerians, including the late Dr Frederick Fasehun, who described him as a man with the Midas touch, and the late Professor C.S. Momoh, who reportedly compared his intellectual stature to that of German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
Ebuetse said immortalising Dokpesi through the proposed annual observance would serve as recognition of his pioneering role and inspire future generations of broadcasters.
“With the passing of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi, OFR, the Centre remains resolute in preserving his legacies and will continue to promote his ideals,” he said.
He called on well-meaning Nigerians, media professionals and relevant authorities to support the campaign for October 25 to be officially recognised as Private Broadcasting Day in Nigeria.
The 2026 endurance trek is expected to bring together media practitioners and other stakeholders to celebrate Dokpesi’s legacy and renew calls for greater recognition of his contributions to the nation’s broadcasting industry.
“The legendary hero of broadcasting lives on,” Ebuetse said.
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