A group of creative artists based in Abuja on Sunday installed founder and Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi as patron of the association.
At the event, which took place in the business mogul’s expansive home in Asokoro, Abuja on the occasion of his 69th birthday, the group, Great Ekenhuan Alumni Association, which comprises graduates of Theatre Arts, Fine and Applied Arts, and Mass Communication, said the decision to make Dokpesi patron of the association was taken in consideration of his many contributions to the growth and development of the arts in Nigeria.
The Association’s Chairman, Andrew Izirein, said the establishment of the Daar Communications group, artists and arts based organizations have benefitted immensely by way of patronage and support from the organization.
“We have Chief Dokpesi over the years and have observed his unflinching support for artists and the arts. His philanthropic gestures towards many up fledgling artists as well as established ones have done a lot to keep the Nigerian arts scene vibrant and dynamic. Aside his personal interventions, he has used the Daar Communications group as a vehicle for promoting arts and culture in the country. We are privileged to have him as our patron and look forward to years of fruitful collaboration on behalf of Nigerian arts. We also use the opportunity presented by this installation, to wish him a most blessed birthday. We pray that God continues to strengthen him for his labour of love on behalf of Nigerian arts,” Izirein said.
Also speaking during the investiture, Aike Odiase, an actor and film maker extolled the qualities of Chief Dokpesi describing him as a blessing to the arts. He called on more influential Nigerians to emulate him in order to further open up the space for participation of more Nigerians.
Chief Kingsley Okafor, artist and development economist who is the founder and head of the Association of Professional Creative Artists and Designers(APCAD) said the arts had the potential of transforming the Nigerian economy if only those in positions of authority gave it the needed support like Chief Dokpesi is doing.
Responding, Chief Dokpesi, who thanked the group for the honour done to him, said he would continue to do whatever he could to promote the arts in Nigeria.
Dokpesi, who was celebrating his 69th birthday, was joined in the celebration by his political associates including, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor of Edo State, Chief Tom Ikimi, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Ben Obi and Mr. Kassim Afegbua, a former Commissioner for Information in Edo State.
