The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) paid a heartfelt tribute to the late High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, a stalwart of Nigeria’s media landscape, at the second annual lecture held in his honor at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites (NACCAS) in Maitama, Abuja. The event was organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications (AIT) to commemorate the posthumous birthday of the media icon.
NAWOJ National President, Aishatu Ibrahim at the event, lauded the legacies of the pioneer private media house owner in Nigeria. The occasion was attended by notable dignitaries, including Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, former Governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomhole and NAWOJ’s former Presidents Evelyn Onyilo and Aunty Moji Makanjuola, who anchored the event. NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike and the NAWOJ FCT Chairperson, Bassey Ita Ikpang.
Aishatu Ibrahim delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late Dr. Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, describing him as a bridge-builder who used communication to democratize knowledge, give voice to the voiceless, and promote development of the nation. She highlighted the importance of communication in shaping tomorrow, noting that it is the “heartbeat of progress, the soul of democracy, and the mirror through which society sees itself.”
She emphasized that NAWOJ is committed to using the media as an instrument of inclusion, amplifying women’s voices, and promoting integrity in leadership. She stated that “no nation can truly develop when half its population remains unheard.”
She commended the organizers for keeping Dokpesi’s legacy alive and encouraged the audience to communicate with conscience, inform with empathy, and build a better Nigeria through the power of words. She urged them to build “a Nigeria that listens, learns, and leads.”
The lecture, themed “Communication and Development,” was delivered by the Executive Governor of Nassarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule. Other speakers who highlighted the importance of effective communication in national development include Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of NIPR, who described Dokpesi as a pioneer who understood the power of communication in connecting people and nations. He noted that “communication is about giving meaning to life”, and that it becomes a tool for peace and progress when guided by ethics, knowledge, and empathy.
Raymond Dokpesi Jr, Chairman of DAAR Communications, emphasized the need to treat communication as a strategic national asset. He warned that “a nation that cannot trust its own communication cannot mobilise itself towards progress or any form of national development.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State announced the approval of funding for the NIPR University, an initiative aimed at cultivating ethical and visionary leaders. He stated that “one of the problems of Africa, and indeed Nigeria, has been leadership. Once you have the right leadership, everything picks up.”
The event was a fitting tribute to a remarkable individual who dedicated his life to promoting democracy, good governance, and media development in Nigeria.
Signed
Dr. Rebecca Bolanle Ukpevo
Vice Chairperson, NAWOJ FCT Chapter