Raymond Dokpesi Jr, Chairman of DAAR Communications, has disclosed that decisive leadership changes implemented after his father’s death prevented the media company’s collapse and set it on a path to recovery.
In a candid address in Abuja, Dokpesi Jr revealed the company confronted existential threats following the sudden passing of founder Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Sr, including plummeting investor confidence and falling share prices that threatened its survival.
The chairman described how he navigated an immediate crisis upon assuming leadership, discovering an emergency board meeting had been convened without his knowledge—a development that nearly prompted legal intervention to protect corporate governance standards.
The subsequent management overhaul, which included the departure of veteran executives such as Mr. Tony Akiotu, required 14 months to complete as Dokpesi Jr balanced corporate imperatives with family mourning and employee sensitivities.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the exits, Dokpesi Jr acknowledged the outgoing team had accumulated billions in unpaid salaries during their 15-year tenure, obligations the company honoured despite its precarious financial position.
“I will continuously apologise to Mr. Tony Akiotu and the exited management staff for any feelings that were hurt by the actions taken,” he stated. “But without regrets, I believe it was the right decision, and the proof is in the pudding—which we are already tasting, and it tastes sweet.”
The leadership transition has yielded measurable results, according to Dokpesi Jr. Most business units have achieved operational self-sufficiency, with remaining divisions expected to follow by year-end. The company has prioritised clearing salary arrears while strengthening internal autonomy across departments.
Rising share prices now signal renewed market confidence in the organisation, validating the difficult restructuring decisions that stabilised DAAR Communications during its most vulnerable period.
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