By Moses Okorie
President Bola Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of founder of the defunct Diamond Bank, Chief Pascal Gabriel Dozie who died at the age of 85.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information & Strategy on Tuesday,, Chief Pascal Dozie, was a visionary whose contributions to Nigeria’s economic architecture left an enduring legacy.
“As the founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria, he was at the forefront of two of the most transformative sectors in Nigeria’s development journey: banking and telecommunications.
“Chief Dozie, a steadfast believer in Nigeria’s vast potential, was pivotal in shaping the financial services industry and expanding access to mobile connectivity nationwide. His influential leadership extended well beyond corporate boardrooms.
“In addition to his business acumen, Chief Dozie served as a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, dedicating decades of service to national policy formulation, private sector development, and youth empowerment”, Tinubu said.
President Tinubu lauded Chief Dozie as “a rare breed business leader whose wisdom, humility, and pioneering efforts laid a foundation upon which many continue to build. His passing is a profound loss to the private sector and Nigeria.”
The President prayed for the peaceful repose of Chief Dozie’s soul and extended his condolences to his wife, children, and extended family.
He called upon the Nigerian private sector to honour Chief Dozie’s memory by upholding the values of integrity, innovation, and nation-building, for which he was renowned.
