According to Webster’s New Encyclopedic Dictionary, change means to make or become different; to give a different position, course, or direction; to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution. It implies making either an essential difference amounting to loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another. It was Albert Einstein, the man rated by Time magazine as the most influential in the last century that said, “It is impossible to make progress without change.”
If you cast your mind back, you will remember when Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) used to be the only television station in the country. Then, came state television houses and later private television stations. To watch television, you must wait until it’s 4pm for the television houses to open and then you must put off your television by 12 midnight, for that was when all the television stations would’ve rounded off for the day. Of course, we were all comfortable with it, for nobody knew there could be a better alternative. We all needed something better, but the truth of the matter is that we didn’t know what it is we needed.
You know it is not easy to make a change and also everybody must not agree before a change takes place. In fact, it’s individuals and not groups or committees who have brought various changes in the society. Robert F. Kennedy once observed, “Some believe there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills… against misery, against ignorance, or injustice and violence. Yet many of the world’s great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single man. A young monk began the Protestant reformation, a young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth, and a young woman reclaimed the territory of France. It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and 32 years old Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed that all men are created equal. ‘Give me a place to stand,’ said Achimedes, ‘and I will move the world.’ These men moved the world, and so can we all. And one man who has moved our world and is still moving it in Nigeria is Raymond Dokpesi, our change master for this week. Born on 25th October, 1951 at Ibadan, Oyo State, to the Dokpesi family, from Agenebode in Edo State, he attended Ebenezer African Church School, Ekotedo, Ibadan; Loyola College, Ibadan; Wyzsza Szkota Morska Gdynia, Poland; and University of Gdansk Sopot, Poland. Born without a silver spoon, Dokpesi started early in life when he had to help his mother sell rice and dodo at the age of 16. As a pioneer student of the then Midwest Institute of Technology (MIT), the present University of Benin, it was difficult to raise the initial 10 pounds loan to deposit as tuition fee. All that became a thing of the past when Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, gave him a scholarship to a Polish university.
With a first class Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Marine Transport Engineering and a Doctor of Economic Science degree in Marine Transport Engineering, Chief (Dr.) Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi worked as an Assistant Lecturer at University of Gdansk, Poland and had the dream of becoming a professor before he met Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who invited him back home in 1978. He then joined the Federal Ministry of Transport, on grade level 12.
In 1984, he set up the African Ocean Lines with Chief M. K. O Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar A’dua and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The company ran into corporate waters due to interest in politics among the directors. In 1989, he resigned from the company to go solo.
His venture into broadcasting came as a result of a man who over time has trained his eyes to see and recognize an opportunity when it appears. Adventure and intuitive vision also played a major role. During the days of his political campaigns, he undertook a tour of 589 local government areas of Nigeria. It was in that process that he discovered a crucial gap in information dissemination strategy. In his words, “People are not entertained, enlightened and educated on many things relevant on their lives.” He went further to state, “It was very clear that there was a vacuum, there was a gap in the information order that we had. We were just going one way. The government would talk with the people; the people had no response mechanism.”
And so on December 30, 1993, Nigerians woke up to experience a new dimension in radio broadcasting. For that was when Ray Power 100.5 FM had its first test transmission and on August 16, 1994, they received their license from National Broadcasting Corporation and went into full transmission. In April 1999, a second channel, Ray Power 2, 106.5 FM commenced operations. Before then, Africa Independent Television (AIT) was already on air. The setting up of these stations came with their own rejections.
When he wanted to launch a 24-hour radio station, many people said, “That is crazy, how will a radio station work for 24 hours, who will be listening to it in the thick of the night?” Today, many radio stations in the country have followed the example set by Ray Power FM.
As if that was not enough, he announced that he would launch a 24-hour service television station. People laughed at him and asked, “How is that possible? Does he think that is a radio station?” He rejected their rejection because he believed strongly in his dream, went ahead, and launched a 24-hour Africa Independent Television (AIT). While they were wondering how it happened, AIT on 20th September, 2004 launched its satellite television network in the United States of America.
Dokpesi, chairman of Daar Communications, who has the record in Nigeria as the first to open a private shipping company and the first individual to own a television station said AIT is geared towards the promotion of African values and the traditions of black people across the world. The initial funding came from Daar Investment Holding Company, the founder, Dokpesi and a consortium of banks led by Union Bank Plc.
It was not all rosy for the communication house, as it had to wait for six years after incorporation to start operating. Also, the Sani Abacha regime closed the station down almost immediately after it opened. Then, in 2000, the consortium of banks decided to withdraw from its original agreement of financing the station. As if that was not enough, in 2003, its Abuja office was also gutted by a mysterious fire. In all, Dokpesi refused to blink.
AIT is now viewed not only in all the states of the federation, but across the globe. One can easily access information from every part of the federation while AIT International transmits throughout the continent of Africa, throughout the Mediterranean, the Americas as a whole, the Caribbean and Europe. It was not surprising then when the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) wrote to High Chief Dokpesi inviting him to bring his company to the market and make the shares available to as many Nigerians as possible. They were so appreciative of what the communication house had done that no documentation was demanded from them.
AIT’s ability to avail itself with the latest technology in terms of transmission has made it possible for programmes to be beamed from across the nation, including that of live telecast of events. These days, individuals, corporate organizations and governments engage and rely on the communication house for live telecast of their events. Of particular note is the current political dispensation where events are beamed across the country.
Today, Dokpesi who is the only son amongst 13 children born by his mother and who at 27 years of age was controlling millions of naira, has received several awards, recognition and is being regarded as a super hero. His philosophy of life is service to humanity. To serve Nigeria to the best of his ability, remain as simple as possible, remain as accessible as possible; contribute and leave a mark in the sands of time, so that someday, it would be remembered that Raymond Dokpesi passed through this world.
Dear reader, there are obvious lessons to learn from our communication icon. First, prepare yourself so that when an opportunity comes your way, it will be easily recognized. Secondly, when you come up with an idea that will provide solution to people’s needs, be ready to face rejection and criticisms. Accept them in good faith, take the positive sides of it and discard those that are of little or no value. Thirdly, in times of adversity, never throw in the towel. Keep on keeping on. Furthermore, do not despise the days of little beginnings. Position yourself or business so that those who have need for it will have no option but to engage your services. Never compromise on a good relationship with others, your business, career or life can depend on it. Strive to live a simple life. There is nothing like it. The first time I met Dokpesi several years back, during the public presentation of my 25th book, In the Words of Pat Utomi, I could not believe my eyes. So simple a great man. And lastly, believe in a higher authority. There is no alternative.
Dear reader, how would you want to be remembered? What would be your legacy? How would you want your story to be told? What contributions do you want to make to this great nation of ours and to the world at large? Would you want to be remembered as someone who passed through this world?
The Almighty God gave each and every one of us potentials to make a difference in our various communities. How far will you go with yours? How far will your love for our country manifest in the things you are doing?
You will succeed!
Shalom.