The remains of the Founder, Daar Communications Limited, owner of Africa Independent Television, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, were, on Thursday, interred in his Edo home state.
Dokpesi died in Abuja on May 29, 2023 aged 71. The funeral rites, which commenced on June 19, with a day of tributes in Abuja, came to a close on Thursday with the interment at the deceased house in Edo.
Among those who paid the media mogul last respect were the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, and a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole.
Others included Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the immediate-past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa; and a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndidi Elumelu.
Others included Senate Francis Alimikhena, former Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Ogiadomhe; Senator Ben Obi; Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN); the Vice Chairman of the South-South Wing of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih; representatives of traditional institutions; and religious leaders, among others.
The Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, who presided over the funeral mass at St. Peters Secondary School in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, described the late Dokpesi as humility personified.
The bishop said, “As the saying goes, charity covers a multitude of sin. He represented charity; he repented and came back to represent his creator. We must return to God. We must use this occasion, no matter who we are, to return to God.
“We must continue his charity work because the dead can no longer do charity, but he said that even in death, he will continue to do charity through his media outfit.”
In his remarks, Shaibu described Dokpesi as a fearless politician who was not afraid to “speak truth to power.” Punch
