Remarks At The Maiden Edition Of The Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, Held At AIT Studio, Asokoro, Abuja, Friday, October 25, 2024.

It is my pleasure to be here with you at this Inaugural Edition of the Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, established in commemoration of a man who left an indelible mark on the Nigerian media and broadcasting sector.

The significance of honouring the memory of trailblazers can never be overstated. I am therefore delighted that DAAR Communications Plc and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have come together to make today a reality. And to commit to ensuring that on this day, October 25, every year, there will be a convening for this Annual Lecture in commemoration of the life, times and legacy of the late High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.

The focus of this inaugural edition is Communication and Development, and I have no doubt that our distinguished guest lecturer will do justice to the topic. It is my hope that the lecture and conversation today will not end here, that we will all take the ideas and insights shared back into our professional spaces and be inspired and guided by them. That is what the late High Chief Dokpesi would expect of us.

He was a man who loved and believed in Nigeria, and invested a lot in this country. Many of us here know of his exploits in the maritime industry, even before his foray into broadcasting in the early to mid 1990s. He brought great energy and a pioneering spirit into the media industry, helping kickstart the age of independent broadcasting in Nigeria.

Today that field is a thriving one, and there is no doubt that every organization that has emerged since then has been inspired in one way or another by the example that High Chief Dokpesi set; the bar that he established and kept raising.

That passion that he had for Nigeria, for investing here, for nurturing talent, and for building a great and enduring institution, is one of the greatest legacies he left behind, that we must all continue to strive to emulate. This is our country, and even in its imperfections, it deserves our unwavering belief and respect, because no one else is going to build and develop it for us.

A little over a week ago, I spoke at an event organized by the NIPR to unveil the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), making the point that Nigeria’s strengths and successes deserve greater recognition and amplification by Nigerians.

Unfortunately some mischievous political actors jumped on it to spread fake news that I – on behalf of the government – was threatening Nigerians to stop making negative remarks about the country. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Our respect for freedom of speech and expression is sacrosanct, even as we will continue to urge responsibility in the exercise of this freedom.

Nigerians are free to speak about this dear country of ours. What we can and will continue to do, as patriots and believers, is to make the point that relentless negativity becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts – if all we do is talk down on our country it will no doubt influence our attitudes and actions and rob us of the enthusiasm and energy required to play our part in nation-building.

We are not asking anyone to ignore or downplay the challenges in the country. No. As I said on that occasion, yes, we certainly have our challenges and reputational weaknesses, but we also have significant strengths and untapped potential.

We will be making a grievous error, individually and collectively, if we choose to focus ONLY on what is not working, and not balance it with equal attention on the things we are getting right. And we are getting a lot of things right as a nation, even amidst very difficult circumstances.

The media have very important roles to play here, in helping entrench this balanced approach, through your reporting. And I will once again challenge you all who are gathered here, to live up to the great responsibility entrusted upon you, as shapers and drivers of public opinion. Let our balanced reporting stand us out, and let us all contribute our quota to the peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria.

The late High Chief Dokpesi played his part, and did it in a way that will ensure his name will never be forgotten. The story of broadcasting in Nigeria can never be complete without recounting his contributions and exploits. Those of us who are still here have a chance to be similarly impactful in the evolving story of Nigeria.

On this note, let me again express my gratitude to the organisers of this new annual lecture series. Long may this vision live, and long may the legacy of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi endure.

I thank you for your kind attention.

Mohammed Idris, FNIPR

Minister of Information and National Orientation

Federal Republic of Nigeria

25 October 2024