AFRICA Independent Television and Raypower’s chief executive, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi remembers why he came into broadcasting in 1992, signposting some of the challenges and prospects in the industry...

The name Dokpesi is synonymous with Raypower and AIT. When and where did you conceptualise the idea of establishing the two private stations?

I will say it is the other way round. That AIT and Raypower are synonymous with Dokpesi, because there was Dokpesi before AIT and Raypower. The concept of going into electronic broadcasting started with the deregulation of broadcasting in Nigeria in 1992 by the General Ibrahim Babandiga's administration. Once the opportunities became available, we decided to look at the possibilities of contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. So it was way back in 1992.

Did you envisage then that your outfit Raypower and AIT will reach the heights they are now within a short period of their establishment?

In frankness, AIT and Raypower have not attained the levels that we envisaged at that time due to inconsistencies in government policies. Also due to the type of mentality and the environment we are operating, and the harsh and unusual environment that private broadcast operators have had to thrive in, in this country. All these have contributed largely to the non-attainment of set objectives. But we have to be grateful to Almighty God for how far we have gone...