Congratulations to Dr Raymond Alegho Dokpesi and his Daar Communications, proud owners of RayPaower Radio and Africa Independent Television (AIT), on their glorious 10th year anniversary. As Nigeria's first private broadcast group, they have blazed the trail and endured incredible challenges. In this business, you gain as much praise as notoriety...no matter how you play! Dr Dokpesi, a PhD holder in marine engineering, was Africa's first truly indigenous and wholly private broadcast operator. He is a consummate innovator and steely risk-taker!

By providing an alternative voice to/for our people, the TV/radio stations have won the hearts and the prayers of Nigerians. Government officials and their apologists have both the right and reasons to be apprehensive, but can hardly deny the beauty of the plurality of media ownership and offerings that our democracy, every democracy, deserves. Nor can they not, in their private moments, thank AIT/RayPower for such patriotic and robust role in defending same.

It must be right to say the TV house came into its ultimate own with its unblemished coverage of the infamous (some still say, diabolical or dastardly!) tenure elongation or Third Term saga. AIT/RayPower gave Nigerians and the world at large extensive and verbatim coverage, plus the Senate's grand finale of its termination. It was Daar Communications' finest hour!

The costs have been horrendous, including numerous threats, arson attacks, arrests, sabotage, persecutions, prosecution, fire-bombing of the proprietor's country home, studio raids, etc. Oh, and there was a clandestine attempt to foreclose on the company, through its Lagos bankers, by prematurely calling in loans and advances. Dokpesi insisted they were wrong, but a "liquidator" was appointed anyway. Nigerians were scandalised, and there was a loud national fundraising campaign to show solidarity and save the stations. The company survived on its own. That was in the military days of Sani Abacha. This dispensation has sought its own schemes to do same!

As we head for the 2007 Elections, AIT/RayPower must build on the 10-year success and their "baptism of fire". Tough? Nigerians are with you. Keep sharing the African experience. No shutting you down or shutting you up.

Evidence? See the list of political casualties from the PDP Primaries. Most of the supporters of Third Term, including erstwhile juggernauts, have been dumped by the party grassroots! How are the mighty/greedy fallen!! With the Freedom of Information Act on its way, many more will bite the dust. The free press, especially private/independent media houses can look forward to a new dawn.

Bravo to AIT/RayPower! God bless and keep you, amen.