President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the death of a former chairman of MTN Nigeria and the founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Paschal Dozie, as a big loss to the private sector and the country in general.
Dozie, an elder statesman, entrepreneur, and banker, passed away on Tuesday morning, at the age of 85, putting his family, friends, and the Nigerian business community in mourning mood. He died just a day before his 86th birthday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelTinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the Nigerian business icon.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said Dozie, OON, was a visionary whose contributions to Nigeria’s economic architecture left an enduring legacy.
He highlighted Dozie’s pivotal role in the transformation of the banking and telecom sectors in Nigeria.
“As the founder of Diamond Bank and the pioneer Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dozie was at the forefront of two of the most transformative sectors in Nigeria’s development journey: banking and telecommunications,” Tinubu stated.
“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.”
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“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.”
President Tinubu hailed Dozie’s business acumen, adding that he was “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 Dozie’s soul and extended his condolences to his wife, children, and extended family.
Tinubu called on the Nigerian private sector to honour Dozie’s memory by upholding the values of integrity, innovation, and nation-building, for which he was renowned.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
