NEWS
Lawan, Sanwo-Olu, Others Grieve Loss Of Media Mogul, Dokpesi
The passing of Raymond Dokpesi, a renowned media mogul, has evoked sorrow among prominent Nigerians.
According to a statement released by his son, Raymond Dokpesi Jr., the chairman of DAAR Communications breathed his last on Monday.
The news of senior Dokpesi’s demise prompted an outpouring of condolences from various individuals, including Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, Lawan expressed profound grief over the loss of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM founder.
He highlighted the significant impact that Dokpesi had on Nigerian politics and the media industry, underscoring his invaluable contributions.
Lawan credited Dokpesi with pioneering the establishment of Nigeria’s first private television network, Africa’s inaugural private satellite television, and the country’s maiden privately owned radio station. This notable legacy further accentuates the magnitude of Dokpesi’s demise for both Nigeria and Africa.
“I commiserate with the immediate family of Dr Raymond Dokpesi, staff of AIT/Ray power FM radio and the media industry at large on this great loss.
“They should all be consoled that Dr Dokpesi made his mark in business, politics and the media industry and lived a fulfilled life,” Lawan said.
He prayed to God to grant him eternal rest and comfort his loved ones.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the late Dokpesi would be remembered for breaking the monopoly of government-owned broadcasting in Nigeria with the establishment of the first private radio station, Raypower FM.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I mourn the passage of businessman and media guru, who contributed his quota to the economy of Lagos State by providing job opportunities for many young Lagos residents in the media sector.
“High Chief Raymond Dokpesi was a forerunner in private broadcasting in Nigeria. He established the first privately owned television and radio in Nigeria. His bold decision to break the government monopoly in the broadcasting sector gave birth to hundreds of privately owned television and radio stations in Nigeria.
“He was also an active participant in Nigeria politics during the present Fourth Republic and served his party and Nigeria in different capacities. He was a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of his community, state, and country.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of the late Dr. Dokpesi and pray that God grants the media industry and the deceased family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also mourning the founder of African Independent Television (AIT) is the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba.
IGP Baba described Dokpesi’s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria, the media community, and the African continent at large.
The IGP, therefore, prayed for the repose of his soul and God’s guidance on the family members, staff of DAAR Communications, and friends of Dokpesi.
In a similar vein, the Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, stated that the deceased was a prominent figure in the media industry whose contributions had left a lasting impact.
“My heartfelt condolences to the Dokpesi family and the entire staff of AIT and Raypower FM. His departure is a significant loss for the entire media landscape,” Sulaiman said.
“He was a pioneer and a visionary who consistently pushed the boundaries of journalism and entertainment.
“His unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation has undoubtedly shaped the media industry as we know it today.”
He asked God for the departed to find eternal peace and for his dear ones to find strength in the face of his absence.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has been in strong conversations with his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sannwo-Olu over the alleged deportation of Osun indigenes from Lagos.
A statement from the government of Osun State highlighted that Sahara Reporters had on Saturday published a story about several luxury buses dropping hundreds of youth at Ilesa after allegedly rounding them up in several parts of Lagos State.
According to the statement, “The report was confirmed by an investigation team set up to confirm the veracity of the story by the Osun State Government.”
This, it was gathered has prompted strong conversations between the governors of the two states, which led to the Sanwo-Olu assuring that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
On the authenticity of the report, Osun State, declared, “The state team reported that eye witness accounts confirmed the dropping of the youths in several luxurious buses by a team suspected to be from Lagos State.
“The state’s report showed that the youths were systematically dropped at Ilesa-Akure Express junction, Breweries; Ilesa – Ibodi – Iginla to Ife Express junction; Osun Ankara Express junction; Imelu Express junction; and Iperindo Express junction.”
It was gathered that Gov Adeleke expressed shock at the development, urging Governor Sanwoolu to look into the matter and put an end to it if the report is true.
Gov Adeleke said, “I spoke with my brother, Governor Sanwo-Olu on the matter. He too was surprised and he denied ever authorizing any such action.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu has promised immediate investigation to unravel the facts of the situation. The Lagos team will update us as quickly as possible.
“I am subsequently directing our security agencies in Osun to mount surveillance in and around Ilesa to track the deported youths and their destinations.
“I will update our people on this development. I urge residents to be calm while the security agencies carry out surveillance.”
In response to allegations of a conspiracy to impeach him and other high-ranking officials of the Assembly, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku of the Edo State House of Assembly took decisive action on Monday by suspending three lawmakers.
Among those suspended is Donald Okogbe, representing the PDP in Akoko-Edo II constituency, who notably refrained from endorsing the petition that resulted in the impeachment of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, a close ally.
The other two lawmakers he suspended are Addeh Emankhu Isibor of the APC representing Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, representing the PDP in Orhionnwon II.
Agbebaku also alleged that the trio had arranged for the presence of traditional healers at the Assembly premises on May 1st, around 1 am, purportedly for ritualistic purposes.
Agbebaku declared the indefinite suspension of the three lawmakers, asserting that external influences were driving them to disrupt proceedings and oust the Assembly’s leadership.
However, the suspension sparked tension within the House as the affected lawmakers vehemently protested against their suspension.
During a chaotic session, the three suspended lawmakers vocally objected, arguing, “Mr. Speaker, you lack the authority to unilaterally suspend any member(s) of the house. You must put it to a vote. Let the members vote on the issue.”
Following the commotion, the Speaker abruptly adjourned the plenary session.
In a significant development, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has announced a tariff reduction for its Band A customers.
Effective immediately from Monday, May 6, 2024, customers in Band A will see their tariff lowered to N206.80 per kilowatt-hour, down from the previously approved rate of N225/kWh by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This decision, disclosed by IKEDC spokesperson Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion on Monday, marks a proactive measure by the company to provide relief to its Band A customers.
Notably, while this adjustment ensures a minimum of 20-hour daily power supply for those on Band A feeders, tariffs for customers on other bands remain unchanged.
IKEDC said “Dear Esteemed Customers, please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”
Recalls that on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revised the electricity tariff for Band A customers dramatically, soaring from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N255/KWh. It’s worth noting that this tariff hike did not affect other customer categories.
Since the release of the supplementary Multi-Year Tariff Order, consumers categorized as Band A have been expressing discontent, citing the significant impact of the tariff increase on their finances.
They have been calling on the Federal Government to reconsider this policy.
However, during an investigative hearing before the Senate Committee on Power last Monday, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued a stark warning.
He emphasized that if the electricity tariff hike was not implemented, the nation could face a total blackout within the next three months.
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