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When Liberians honoured Dokpesi with Zuoje title

By Christopher Ebuetse
22 December 2019   |   3:49 am
Recently, media mogul and founder of Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, was in Monrovia, capital of Liberia, where he was honoured with the title of Zuoje.

Dokpesi, Vice President of Liberia, Haward-Taylor, Kanvee and her husband, Emmanuel Adams

Recently, media mogul and founder of Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, was in Monrovia, capital of Liberia, where he was honoured with the title of Zuoje.

Zuoje, in English, means, ‘thank you’, and this is in appreciation of Dokpesi’s exemplary leadership, support and assistance to Ambassador Kanvee Adams in her musical career.

The title was conferred on him at a concert organised by the Musicians Association of Liberia. The conferment was done by eminent personalities from Liberia, led by Nyonblee Katanga-Lawrence, the only female Senator and leader of Liberty Party, Liberia.

Dokpesi was accompanied by a delegation from Nigeria, amongst whom were the Executive Producer, Afrima, Mike Dada; Olisa Adibua, Afrima jurist, West Africa; D. Supo Ali Balogun and Otunba Doyin Ogungbe. They all stormed Monrovia, hometown of the legendary singer and gospel crooner, to formally present to the Government and people of Liberia the two Afrima Awards won by Kanvee.

Before their visit to Monrovia, Kanvee, alongside Dokpesi, had presented the awards to Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Professor Hassan Canteh, at a reception hosted in her honour.

Kanvee, who is currently under the Daar Music Global Label, is the first Liberian to win the most highly rated African music Award. She was nominated in three categories at the 6th Afrima Awards held in Nigeria. The categories are, Best Female Artist, West Africa, Best Artist Inspirational Duo or Group in Africa and Best Song Writer in Africa. She, however, won two awards and was a close second in the Best Female Artist of the Year in West Africa.

The team, on arrival at Liberia International Airport, was welcomed by a large number of Liberians. They were also there to catch a glimpse of one of their own who had been catapulted into the global music stage.

Supporters and friends of the artiste, who came to the airport, acknowledged the Daar Communication’s boss role in the development of music in Liberia, saying, “it is worth celebrating.”

They were grateful to the media mogul for exposing and bringing to the limelight, “one of their finest singers.”

Some of the artistes, who spoke at the concert, said music in Liberia was still growing, and currently faced with a lot of challenges. Thus, for a Liberian to win a major continental award, “is a welcome development,” one of them said.

While thanking the Agenebode-born chief, the artistes stated that Dokpesi belonged to the group of Africans who have crossed borders to develop artistes from other countries.

In a thanksgiving service at St. Kizito Catholic Church, Monrovia, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Johnson, also commended the Nigerian media mogul for his assistance to Kanvee.

In response, he commended the officiating priest and the congregation, admonishing them not to embrace crisis but work at all times to ensure peace in Liberia.

Dokpesi and his team equally visited and presented the Afrima Awards to Dr. Jewel Haward-Taylor, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia and the Nigeria Ambassador to Liberia, Dimka G James, who said the assistance the Daar Communication boss has rendered to the artist has gone a long way to re-emphasise Nigeria’s role in post civil war reconstruction of Liberia.

On her part, the Vice President of Liberia was happy to be associated with such a very laudable achievement from their citizen.

Acting Minister for Information, Cultural Affaires and Tourism, Daniel Gayou, noted that the awards would go a long way to improve arts in the country.

Deputy Minister for Public Affaires, Ministry of Information, Cultural Affaires and Tourism, Eugene Fahngon, also stressed that Liberians are grateful to Dokpesi.

While on courtesy visit to the Ministry of Information, the Daar Communication founder appealed to the government of Liberia to find ways of honouring those that have worked hard to bring honour to the country.

He stated that if the current President, George Weah, were from Nigeria, he would have been given a national honour in his days as a great footballer. He noted that one of the ways to stimulate growth and progress is to bestow honours on those who worked to make their country great.

Dokpesi went further to request from the government of Liberia to “celebrate those who have brought honours and recognitions to the country.”

He also reiterated the need for the people to live in peace, stating that crisis and conflict do not bring solutions. He stated that there is no country in the world that does not have challenges, however, “leaders should find ways of solving the numerous challenges plaguing their countries especially those within the continent.”

He noted that he would continue to reach out and assist talented Africans like he has always done as his media conglomerate is named, having the entire Africa in mind. That is why his media outfit is called Africa Independent Television (AIT).

The former Vice President of Liberia, Joeseph Boakai, said the success of Kanvee is a sign of good things for young and talented artists. He prayed that Nigeria and Liberia continue to have a seamless relationship. Other important personalities that spoke included Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, the only female Senator and Leader of Liberty Party, Liberia.

Dokpesi, over the years, has used his media conglomerate to expose and export the cultural ideals of the blacks to the outside world. It is worthy to reflect on the massive support and assistance he gave to the growth of the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

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