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Obasanjo Tells Nigerians at African Independent Television Signals Launched in the USA By September 20th would be remembered as a watershed in Nigeria’s Global Television debut with the World. That was the day President Obasanjo came to New York to personally launch the African Independent Television signals in the United States. Like so many Nigerians, I was privileged to witness the occasion at the Grand Hyatt’s 5 Star Hotel in Manhattan, amidst the New York skyline which is first of a kind in the greatest city in the World. Of course the occasion was attended by the cream of the American Society and the who is who in the Communications Business the world over. The grand occasion was preceded by a cocktail preamble followed by a 120 dollar a plate Dinner paid for by the Executive Chairman, and the Board of Directors of the African equivalent of the best name in News, the famous CNN of Atlanta, Georgia. The one and only Raymond Alero Dokpesi of Aganabode, Nigeria is , no doubt breaking new frontiers and making waves all over the world for Nigeria as a leader in Africa in an area of business that was previously dominated and monopolized by the white world who present and project Africa the way they want to, leaving African Governments to either bite the bullet scratch their head, or just resign themselves in total helplessness. Those white media are more interested in projecting the negatives in Africa rather than the positives. One of the first questions you get asked by ignorant whites and other foreigners is whether or not Africans still live on trees because that was the propaganda they have been fed by their media and writers for as long as anyone can remember. Part of the ultimate goal of Dr Dokpesi and his AIT is to be able to put that notion to rest once and for all, and to now project the African viewpoint unvarnished and undiluted, and straight from the horse’s mouth in large part. It was a step in the right direction and a moment worth celebrating by all and sundry. You can now stay in the comfort of your living room or bedroom in America and be able to watch or listen to Nigerian Network News coming out of Abuja or Lagos with effortless ease. It is that simple. All you need is a Satellite dish and an AIT decoder, and you are ready to go. Thanks to Dr Dokpesi’s vision and the power of technology.. You must apply for your box today like me. You will be glad you did African Independent Television had thus become the first in Africa to take African News and perspectives to the World in the same way that the CNN is doing, and has been doing for America for many years. It was an achievement of limitless proportions, and indeed the beginning of a Revolution never before heard off in our country. It was as good as it gets, given the poverty in most parts of Africa and scarcity of good and visionary leadership the type that can move our continent forward. It is remarkable that Raymond Dokpesi and our current President working in tandem had decided to give the occasion the right kind of flavor and prestige by hosting the occasion at no less a venue than the stupendous Donald Trump Hyatt Regency in the very heart of New York. Raymond Alero Dokpesi, a Ph.D holder in Marine Engineering and a world class goal getter and entrepreneur of substance has indeed become an icon in our country by thinking big all the time and thinking bigger and moving faster than any of his peers and competitors in Africa as acknowledged by the Chairman of the National Radio and Television Broadcasting Commission. This kind of venture is important because it impacts national security and defense as well as our country’s image. It is good for the Economy because it promotes it, and it is god for education across the board because it liberates the mind. It is particularly good for the economy because it creates jobs , and jobs thus improving the living standards of our people. Little wonder that the Launching in New York has attracted the State Governors, top echelon of the Senate, the top brass of our Foreign and Diplomatic Service across the board and the shakers and movers of the Nigerian Labor Congress led by his President Adams Oshiomole who also delivered a heartwarming speech at the occasion. Like the great Ted Turner of the CNN in Georgia Chief Raymond Dokpesi could easily have picked Aganabode or better still Benin city as the Head Office of AIT. As an international businessman Dokpesi could easily have picked preeminent African cities like Cairo, Johannesburg, Timbuktu or Addis Ababa for the Head Office.. He had chosen instead the commercial capital of Nigeria, and by so doing, had placed Lagos on the map of World Global Television in ways that no Government in Nigeria, be it Federal or State could have been able to match. Dokpesi has become a special blessing to our country, and one that we ought to be very proud of For the President of Nigeria, the occasion has offered one more bright spot to his trail of achievements as President because all this major breakthroughs are taking place under his watch, and he could rightly take credit for them because his Government evidently has created the right environment for such ventures to thrive and prosper. The President would appear to have savored the moment by making it a point of duty to be physically present at the occasion, and doing so much beyond the call of duty to make the Launching in new York a resounding success it had been. The President had led a high powered delegation which included the Senate Deputy President, Senator Mantu and two Governors from Adamawa and Ogun among others. Even though the President was briefly caught by television cameras dozing off due to jet lag or fatigue caused by lack of sleep past his normal bedtime resulting from time differentia which the President was good and candid enough to publicly acknowledge in his speech. He, nevertheless, had still managed to deliver an eloquent and very thoughtful speech that informed this article, as this writer totally agrees with the President cardinal goal in making that speech. It is easier to criticize, for if wishes were horses , even beggars would ride. Offering an alternative solution or giving constructive criticisms that would present both sides of the issue while asking the tough questions is what is not so easy to attain. The President was right on target on that, and he delivered the speech ex-tempore without looking at any script, and was very presidential in his delivery laced, albeit, with some heavy dose of humor as usual. It was not therefore surprising that he got quite a few standing ovations and applause from the ecumenical audience that was there to listen to him. The President had used the kiss method to very good effect by keeping his speech short and simple while using some deep Yoruba allegories to drive home his point. The President really got our attention when he cautioned commentators and E-mail tigers across the board to exercise some caution in wanting to throw out the baby with the bath water in an effort never to see anything good in our country. I believe the President actually hit a home run when he very wisely advised Nigerians "If you don’t see anything good in your country, and if you will not take any pride in your country, there is nobody out there who is going to do it for you" If all we see in our country is the negative, we have ourselves to blame when others take our words for it and do likewise. Bad propaganda like falsehood repeated time and again, becomes the truth in the opinion of many in the fullness of time. I think the President really hit the nail on the head on that. He directly spoke to the Management of AIT to please use their newly found power and leverage responsibly as they can also damage the country irredeemably if they simply refuse to do that. If they expose or criticize some of the negative activities of Government, they must be responsible enough to also acknowledge the successes and the good policies of Government if only to create some objectivity and balance which is badly needed. The President had called Raymond Dokpesi to the podium to publicly acknowledge his contributions and to give him a bear hug for helping the Nation as a proud father would do to a good son. It was a proud moment for all Nigerians as they all turn out in huge number in their colorful national dresses and attires to honor Raymond Dokpesi and Mr. President. The Lagos forum Website based in Germany was represented at the Launching by its Honorary Associate Executive Editor in the US and Canada, Dr Wunmi Akintide who personally delivered to Dr Dokpesi the goodwill message from the President and CEO of the Lagos forum dot com, Joe Femi-Dagunro based in Germany who could not make it to New York due to some flight delays in Europe. |