NLC Mourns Late AIT/Raypower Founder, Dokpesi

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has expressed sympathy over the the sudden demise of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, owner of the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower radio station.

In a condolence message by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the Labour movement described Dokpesi as “an affable gentleman, a creative risk taker and an African cultural ambassador was a good friend of organised labour.”

Labour, however, joined friends, family and associates of Dokpesi in mourning his sudden demise, describing him as a shrewd business man, media tycoon and cerebral politician.

“He is as an affable gentleman, a creative risk taker and an African cultural ambassador was a good friend of organised labour. In the course of our turbulent relationship with the Nigerian state, when it was taboo for any of its media organisations to report Labour positively and fairly.

“He gave free reign to AIT and Raypower to report Labour freely and fairly. Until much later when other  private electronic media entities came on board, we almost entirely relied on AIT and Raypower to be heard. Chief Dokpesi similarly gave generous discounts to organised labour  during  live coverages of  May Day ceremonies and other important activities.

“Even after stepping down from playing an active role in running AIT and Raypower, we relied on his goodwill to exact concessions. We have lost a friend and a fighter for whom there were no limits. As Nigerians continue to reel from the shock of Dokpesi’s death, our hearts are with the family,” he said.