From Taiye Joseph
The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development, has renewed its call on the Federal Government to declare October 25, as Nigeria’s Private Broadcasting Day, in recognition of the contributions of the late media mogul, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi, to the country’s broadcasting industry.
The centre made the appeal ahead of the 2026 Raymond Dokpesi Endurance Trek which took place on Saturday, October 24, in Benin City, Edo State, and Lagos State.
The annual event, themed “Raymond Dokpesi, the Colossus and Pathfinder of Broadcasting in Nigeria,” is designed to celebrate the late founder of Raypower 100.5 FM and Africa Independent Television (AIT), whose contributions transformed private broadcasting in the country.
In a statement, the Director-General of the centre, Dr Christopher Ebuetse, said the proposed national observance would serve as a fitting tribute to Dokpesi’s pioneering role in the development of the Nigerian media industry.
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He said the centre had consistently used the annual trek to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the need to recognise October 25 as a day dedicated to private broadcasting in Nigeria.
Ebuetse said Dokpesi’s contributions to the industry were profound, noting that his innovations helped reshape broadcasting, sports coverage, entertainment and the promotion of African music and Nollywood productions beyond the country’s borders.
According to him, Dokpesi pioneered 24-hour broadcasting in Nigeria and introduced modern broadcasting equipment that enhanced the quality and reach of media operations.
He added that the late broadcaster played a significant role in projecting African culture and entertainment to international audiences, including in the Caribbean.
The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development was established in 2007 by broadcasters and other media practitioners to promote professional broadcasting standards and encourage the use of the media as a tool for national development.
Beyond the annual endurance trek, the centre also organises lectures aimed at promoting responsible media practice and stimulating discussions on issues affecting Nigeria’s development.
Ebuetse recalled the tributes paid to Dokpesi by prominent Nigerians, including the late Dr Frederick Fasehun, who described him as a man with the Midas touch because of his excellence in broadcasting.
He also cited the late Professor C.S. Momoh, who reportedly compared Dokpesi’s intellectual contributions to those of German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
The centre said the tributes reflected the late media entrepreneur’s influence beyond broadcasting and reinforced the need to preserve his legacy for future generations.
“With the passing of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi, OFR, the centre, in its resolve, is holding on to his legacies and will continue to promote his ideals,” Ebuetse said.
He called on well-meaning Nigerians, media organisations and other stakeholders to support the campaign for October 25 to be recognised as Nigeria’s Private Broadcasting Day.
Dokpesi, who established Raypower as Nigeria’s pioneering private radio station and later launched AIT, is widely remembered for helping to expand private broadcasting and create new opportunities for media practitioners, entertainers and sports broadcasters.
The centre said the 2026 endurance trek would sustain the campaign to immortalise his contributions and keep alive the ideals that shaped his broadcasting career.
