By Ogbuagu Bob Anikwe

Three months ago, in January, I had the rare privilege of spending an entire week with Mr. Paschal Dozie – a man whose quiet dignity masks the incredible weight of the legacy he built. Each morning, I met him at work. Each evening, before I left for my hotel, we sat and spoke – about his life, leadership, and the intersection between integrity and business success.

His friends and family call him PGD, short for Pascal Gabriel Dozie. That meeting was the first time that I met him physically and I took away powerful lessons. One of these was that in business, success is not about loud declarations or shortcuts. It’s about values, planning, execution, consistency, and staying true, even when it’s inconvenient.

PGD talked and walked integrity every day of his life.
I was shocked by what I read in his yet to be published autobiography which he allowed me to take a look at. I could see that from founding Diamond Bank to leading MTN Nigeria’s early years, he did not just build companies – he built trust. In our business environment, which is often shaped by compromise, he was proof that one can lead with integrity and still thrive. He did it with grace, humility, and unwavering principle.

It’s kinda hard to believe he’s gone. But his lessons remain with me. Not just in words, but in the way he lived – graceful and humble, but with a quiet strength that shone through when the chips were down.

Nigeria has lost a rare gem. I’ve lost a mentor that I acquired late. But heaven has gained a soul of immeasurable worth.

Rest well, PGD. You showed me the way to many things, and I am grateful for that golden week.