By Adeyemi Adepetun
Telecommunications firm, MTN, is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Pascal Gabriel Dozie, its founding chairman and also the founder of the defunct Diamond Bank, on April 8 at 85.
 
MTN extended its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
In a statement by the management, the telecoms firm described Dozie as a pioneer, statesman, and titan of the industry who played a pivotal role in the emergence of mobile telephony in Nigeria and in shaping the MTN Nigeria story.
   
According to the firm, the late Dozie brought insight, experience, and leadership at a time when bold vision was essential. He was instrumental in securing the early support and investment that brought the Y’ello dream to life. On May 16, 2001, he made the first call on the MTN network, a historic moment in Nigeria’s telecommunications journey.

ALSO, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has expressed sadness over Dozie’s death.  The late entrepreneur hailed from Egbu, a community in the Owerri North Local Council of Imo State.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor, who was the Managing Director of the defunct Diamond Bank, described the late Dozie as an “accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and  a statesman.”
  
Otti said the entrepreneur recorded giant strides and made his mark in different fields of human endeavour, pointing out that his passing is a big loss to the nation.