Dokpesi Centre renews call to FG to make October 25 private broadcasting day

By Ola Taiwo

The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development has made a fresh call on the Federal Government to declare October 25 a national day for private broadcasting in Nigeria

The centre wanted the day to be declared in recognition of the late founder of the Raypower FM and Africa Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi, one of the pioneer proprietors of private electronic media organisations in the country.

The centre made the appeal as it held the 2026 Raymond Dokpesi Endurance Trek on Saturday, October 24, in Benin City, Edo State, and Lagos State.

The Director-General of the centre, Dr Christopher Ebuetse, said the trek was aimed at celebrating the legacies of the late Raymond Dokpesi, while promoting the ideals of broadcasting and media development in Nigeria.

He said the initiative was part of efforts to sustain the achievements of the late media mogul, who played a pioneering role in the development of private broadcasting in the country.

Dokpesi established Raypower FM, recognised as Nigeria’s first private radio station, before expanding into television broadcasting with AIT and later establishing Faaji FM.

Ebuetse said, Dokpesi’s contributions transformed the broadcasting landscape through round-the-clock programming, the introduction of modern broadcasting equipment and the promotion of sports, entertainment, African music and Nollywood beyond Nigeria’s borders.

He said the centre had continued to use the annual endurance trek to draw attention to the need to formally recognise Dokpesi’s contributions by declaring October 25 a day dedicated to private broadcasting in Nigeria.

“With the passing of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Anthony Dokpesi, OFR, the centre, in its resolve, is holding on to his legacies and will continue to promote his ideals,” Ebuetse said.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians, media organisations and other stakeholders to support the campaign, stressing that Dokpesi’s impact on the industry deserved lasting national recognition.

The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development was established in 2007 by broadcasters and other media practitioners to promote professional broadcasting standards and the contribution of the media to national development.

Beyond the annual trek, the centre also organises lectures to encourage discussions on media practice and national development.

Ebuetse said this year edition of the endurance trek provided another opportunity to celebrate Dokpesi’s enduring influence on broadcasting and strengthen the campaign for October 25 to be officially recognised as a day for private broadcasting in Nigeria.