The Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, has mourned the passing of Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the founder of the first independent television in Nigeria, The African Independent Television AIT.
In a statement signed by the the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC described Chief Dokpesi as an affable gentleman, a creative risk taker and an African cultural ambassador as well as a good friend of organised labour.
“We join friends, family and associates of Chief Raymond Dokpesi in mourning the sudden demise of Chief Dokpesi, a shrewd business man and media tycoon as well as a cerebral politician.
Freely and fairly
“In the course of of our turbulent relationship with the Nigerian State when it was taboo 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,” Ajaero said.
The NLC President said that even after stepping down from playing an active role in running AIT and Raypower, the Congress relied on his goodwill to exact concessions adding “We have lost a friend and a fighter for whom there were no limits”.
He said as Nigerians continue to reel from the shock of Dokpesi’s death, the hearts of the NUJ is with the family.
Lateefah Ibrahim
