By Ken Ehimen
After weeks of activities and tributes to Chairman Emeritus and Founder of DAAR Communications, owners of AIT and Raypower FM, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi has been laid to rest at his residence in Agenebode, Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
He grand burial was witnessed by family members, close associates, sympathisers and residents of Agenebode who all came to pay their last respects to the late media mogul.
The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke and deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, formal Governor Edo State, Comrd. Adam Oshohmole, former Governor Delta State, Ifeanyi Okiwa, Publisher Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Prof. Ben Obi, Ndidi Elumelu, Francis Alimikhena, Senator Ben Obi, were among prominent people that attended the burial.
The funeral mass was held at the open field of St. Peters Secondary School Agenebode, while the interment was took place at his residence.
In his sermon, the Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev Gabriel Dunia described late Dokpesi as humility personified. Dunia said Dokpesi was also giving to charity in his lifetime.
“As the saying goes, charity covers a multitude of sin. He represented charity, he repented and came back to represent with his creator.
“We must return to God, we must use this occasion whoever we are to return to God. We must continue his charity work because the dead can no longer do charity because he said that even in his death, he will continue to do charity through his media.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu, said the late Dokpesi was a fearless politician who was not afraid to “speak truth to power.
Dokpesi, a Marine Engineer, established Raypower, the first private radio station in Nigeria, in 1994, and AIT in 1996. He would have been 72 years old in October. Dokpesi died on May 29, at the age of 71.
