Key leaders across government, media, and public relations have called for a strategic partnership between the government, media practitioners, and citizens to defend press freedom, deepen democratic governance, and preserve the legacy of media pioneer High Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
​The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, during the 3rd Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, organized jointly by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications Plc at the Banquet Hall of the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.
​Delivering the keynote address on the theme “Media, Democratic Consolidation and Development,” Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, proposed the establishment of a National Media Centre in honour of the late broadcast mogul to conduct research on journalism’s role in national development.
Governor Uzodimma declared that those in government have a solemn responsibility to protect the freedom within which journalism operates, even when public scrutiny becomes uncomfortable.
He noted that while independent media cannot construct roads or staff hospitals, rigorous public oversight ensures that funds allocated for public infrastructure produce the tangible results promised to citizens.
​Highlighting economic instability, low remuneration, and owner interference as primary threats to media independence, Uzodimma advocated for a formal tripartite pact linking government agencies, media institutions, and citizens to safeguard press freedom and accelerate economic progress.
​Reiterating the vision behind private broadcasting in Nigeria, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DAAR Communications Plc, stressed that his father did not enter broadcasting simply to run a commercial enterprise, but to ignite a democratic revolution.
He explained that the annual lecture series was established not merely to mourn a vacuum, but to foster actionable national dialogue at a time when digital platforms and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming the media landscape.
​Furthering the call for national cohesion, Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), emphasized the need for responsible public communication, structured trust-building, and strategic public relations frameworks to bridge the gap between democratic institutions and the public.
​The memorial event concluded with participants adopting actionable resolutions to formalise an operational tripartite governance framework ahead of upcoming elections, institutionalise the proposed National Media Centre in Abuja as a training hub for development journalism, and establish baseline industry standards to address low pay and safety concerns facing media workers nationwide.
