Following the news about the COVID-19 status of the Chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, and some members of his family, Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has sent best wishes and prayers for speedy recovery from the virus.
Excerpts of the statement made available to Africa Update by the National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon. Ken Robinson, on May 7, 2020, reads:
The National Leader, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark and the National Executive Committee of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF extend the best wishes of the Forum and people of the region to the founder and Chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, his family and the Board, Management and Staff of DAAR Communication, on the outcome of COVID-19 test on members of the Dokpesi family.
High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi is very dear to the people of the Niger Delta region, as pioneer of the private broadcast industry in Nigeria, his contributions in highlighting issues of the Niger Delta region through his media outfits, Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM, over the years, cannot be overemphasized.
Our prayers and thoughts are, therefore, with the media mogul and his family at this trying time. And we are confident that he and all members of his family affected by the virus will recover speedily by the grace of the Almighty God.
We commend medical personnel across the country who are at the front line of the fight against COVID-19 for their professional and diligent care of patients, and urge them not to relent.
We further commend the federal and state governments for the various efforts being made to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country, while appealing that special provisions should be put in place for journalists and media practitioners during this period of COVID-19 challenge.
