Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called for the establishment of a national media centre in honour of the late media entrepreneur, Raymond Dokpesi, to promote development journalism, strengthen democratic institutions and advance national development.
Uzodimma made the proposal on Sunday while delivering the keynote lecture at the third Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Annual Diamond Lecture, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications Plc in Abuja.
The governor also urged governments at all levels to abandon the perception that critical journalism constitutes an attack on their authority, insisting that a free and independent media remains indispensable to democratic consolidation and sustainable development.
He said the proposed centre would serve as a hub for research into the relationship between the media and economic development, adding that he was prepared to lead the campaign for its establishment.
The governor said, “The best tribute we can pay to his memory is to protect that freedom and ensure that the journalism practised within it remains worthy of public trust.
“I think that as his friends and associates, we should take the lead by building a national media centre in his honour.
“The centre will be a hub for research on the media and how it can be properly channelled for economic development, or, put simply, for development journalism. I shall be prepared to lead in the campaign for the establishment of this centre.”
Uzodimma described the late Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications, which operates African Independent Television (AIT) and RayPower FM, as a trailblazer whose investments in private broadcasting helped expand the space for independent journalism in Nigeria.
He recalled that RayPower began commercial broadcasting on September 1, 1994, becoming Nigeria’s first private radio station, while AIT followed in December 1996.
According to him, the establishment of the two media organisations transformed Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape, which had previously been dominated by government-owned outlets.
“Dokpesi entered that environment and helped to change it for good,” he said, noting that private broadcasting created new opportunities for political discussion, news dissemination, entertainment and public participation before the country’s return to democratic government in 1999.
The governor, however, cautioned against romanticising the achievements of independent broadcasting, arguing that freedom from government ownership did not automatically guarantee editorial independence.
He identified political interference, commercial interests, inadequate remuneration, delayed salaries, harassment of journalists and declining public trust as major challenges confronting the Nigerian media.
Uzodimma said media independence required more than freedom from government censorship, stressing that journalists must also be protected from pressures arising from ownership interests, advertisers, political affiliations and the pursuit of online traffic.
He said, “Freedom is certainly the starting point. Journalism that operates at the pleasure of government cannot credibly hold that government accountable.
“For example, a reporter who knows or fears that an inconvenient investigation may result in detention, the closure of a station, withdrawal of a licence or some other form of punishment may decide to self-censor.
“Yes, censorship does not always require an official directive. Fear can do the work more than any external censor.”
The governor, who acknowledged that politicians sometimes feel unfairly treated by journalists, said such experiences should not become grounds for weakening the press.
“Any public officer who wants only favourable coverage is asking the press to serve as his publicity department. Journalism has a different responsibility, and the discomfort that comes with independent scrutiny is part of the price of exercising public power in a democracy,” he said.
Uzodimma also warned that the proliferation of digital platforms and artificial intelligence had increased the risks of misinformation, fabricated content and declining public confidence in journalism.
He argued that although technology had made it easier for individuals to publish information to large audiences, access to digital platforms did not automatically qualify anyone as a journalist.
“Journalism carries an obligation to establish facts, verify information, provide context and accept responsibility for what was published,” he said.
The governor maintained that professional journalists must distinguish between factual reporting and deliberate falsehoods, while resisting the temptation to become advocates for preferred political candidates or parties.
“The commitment should be to truth, fairness, constitutional order and the public interest, not to the fortunes of a candidate or political party,” he said.
He further argued that democratic consolidation required more than conducting periodic elections, insisting that constitutional government could only become sustainable when institutions protected citizens’ rights, enforced the rule of law and permitted peaceful transfers of political power.
According to him, the media serves as a bridge between democratic accountability and development by providing citizens with the information required to assess government performance and make informed political choices.
“The media drives democratic consolidation, and democratic consolidation drives development. As a matter of fact, democracy cannot be sustained or deepened without the media, and as democracy deepens, so does development,” he said.
He, however, cautioned that journalists alone could not resolve every problem they exposed, stressing that effective accountability depended on the willingness of relevant institutions to investigate allegations, prosecute proven offences and correct identified failures.
“A society in which wrongdoing can be exposed but nothing follows may have a noisy press without effective accountability,” he said.
The governor proposed a three-way partnership involving government, media practitioners and citizens to strengthen professional journalism and democratic governance.
He urged governments to regard the media as a partner in development rather than an adversary, while calling on media owners and practitioners to uphold ethical standards, improve investigative reporting and invest in continuous professional training.
He also challenged citizens to verify information before sharing it, reject divisive narratives and support credible journalism.
In his remarks, the Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr., urged young Nigerians, particularly first-time voters, to take responsibility for consolidating the country’s democracy.
He described the late Dokpesi’s decision to establish RayPower and AIT as an effort to democratise access to information and give Nigerians platforms to question those in authority.
Addressing young voters, he said: “For a first-time voter, your PVC is not just a piece of plastic. It is your share certificate in the corporate entity called Nigeria. It is your power, your voice and your mandate. Never let anyone convince you that your voice does not matter.”
Dokpesi Jnr. also announced plans to unveil a media incubation and civic-technology initiative on December 1, 2026, aimed at empowering young content creators, civic advocates and first-time voters.
He said the initiative would equip young Nigerians with digital tools to monitor governance, report community development needs and document electoral activities in real time.
“We are moving you from passive consumers of media to active digital architects of our democracy,” he said.
The DAAR Communications chairman urged political leaders to recognise a free press and an engaged youth population as essential safeguards for democratic stability.
“When the media thrives, democracy is fortified. When democracy is stable, development is inevitable,” he said.
President of the NIPR Dr. Ike Neliaku, on the occasion, said Nigeria has officially begun preparations to host the world’s biggest gathering of communication professionals, the “World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2026.
The President, who is also the Chairman of the Council of the NIPR), described the World Public Relations Forum as “the World Cup of Public Relations,” noting that Nigeria is ready to host delegates from 126 countries under the umbrella of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
According to him, the forum presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to tell its own story to the world and showcase its cultural, intellectual, and professional excellence in a way that has never been done before.
“The World PR Forum will bring together communication professionals, academics, and policymakers from across continents.
This is our time to show the world the authentic Nigeria — creative, resilient, and responsible,” Neliaku said.
He added that hosting the global event, along with the 2026 Africa Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference, positions Nigeria as the communication hub of Africa and underscores the country’s growing reputation in strategic communication and reputation management.
The NIPR President expressed gratitude to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, for his steadfast support in helping Nigeria secure the hosting rights for the global forum.
“This event is more than a celebration for public relations professionals; it is a national project that gives us the chance to present Nigeria in its true image before the international community,” he noted.
The annual lecture was instituted to sustain the legacy of Dokpesi, who died in 2023, and promote discussions on communication, democratic governance and national development.
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
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