Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has lauded the good virtues and positive impact of the founder of DAAR Communications Ltd, late Dr Raymond Dokpesi on the media and humanitarian sectors of the country.
Jonathan during his remarks on Friday in Abuja at the inaugural edition of the Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture on Communication and Development said he was a good friend.
“We gather to celebrate excellence, innovation, philanthropy and the transformative power of communication. Above all, we are here to honour and celebrate a man I called my friend while he was still here with us.
” I thank the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications PLC, for the laudable decision to honour High Chief Dokpesi in this timeless manner.
” He was a brilliant entrepreneur and visionary media mogul, whose trailblazing endeavours in the industry have continued to reshape our society.
“By leading in the initiative of promoting private ownership and objective media practice, Dokpesi had strengthened the platform and the leverage for accountability, equity, justice and responsible governance across the length and breadth of our continent” Jonathan said.
He said that late Dokpesi also played big on our turf.
The former president explained that Dokpesi was the kind of politician you would like to have in your corner either as a defender or as a striker to protect your back or bang in goals when it mattered.
“In any case, since we do not score goals in politics, let me explain this to mean that Dokpesi was the type of dedicated politician and patriot that put everything he had into working for the victory of his political party.
“On the field of philanthropy, there is no doubt that Dokpesi invested heavily in human and community development, lifting individuals and providing essential infrastructure and services to communities.
“However, I will like to believe that what he did, channelling his earthly blessings in the service of God and evangelism will continue to speak for him here on earth and in the heavens above.
“The friendship and closeness I had with late Dokpesi is something I will continue to cherish. It is for that reason that I wrote about an aspect of this relationship in my book,” he said.
He explained that Dokpesi’s pioneering spirit in broadcasting and media had empowered voices, shaped narratives, and bridged gaps in national development.
Jonathan added that effective communication and innovative journalism amplify marginalized voices and drive social change.
“We must harness communication’s potential to promote democratic governance, foster national cohesion and enhance socioeconomic development.
“As we navigate the complexities of our digital age, we must prioritize objectivity, fact-checking, balance and constructive reporting and guard against fake news, disinformation and propaganda because of their attendant negative consequences on the society.
“I encourage DAAR Communications Ltd and the media to continue to build on the sound and principled legacies left by Raymond Dokpesi,” Jonathan said.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA