SENDEF Mourns Founding Chairman, Pascal Dozie

The South East Nigeria Development Fund (SENDEF), has mourned it’s Founding Chairman, Mr Pascal Dozie.

He died on April 8, 2025 at age 85.

In a tribute signed by the group’s Steering Chairman SENEC/Member SENDEF Board, Engr. Chris Okoye, and Interim Secretary SENDEF Board, DR. Friday Ohuche, described Dozie as a visionary and dedicated leader.

They said: “With deep respect and heartfelt admiration, we pay tribute to Mr. Pascal Dozie, a visionary leader, a titan of industry, and a devoted son of the South East whose legacy of service and dedication has left an indelible mark on the region and beyond.

“As the founding chairman of the South East Nigeria Development Fund (SENDEF), Mr. Dozie brought more than just a name—he brought a lifetime of wisdom, strategic foresight, and an unshakable commitment to empowering the South East.

“He was one of the pioneers whose belief in regional collaboration and inclusive growth helped give birth to SENDEF; an initiative designed to unlock economic potential, foster sustainable development, and uplift communities across the geopolitical zone,” they said.

They added that under his leadership, SENDEF was to establish itself as a model of homegrown development strategy.

According to them, Mr. Dozie’s influence would shape the Fund’s founding principles—self-reliance, regional unity, and economic empowerment.

“His wealth of experience as an entrepreneur and investor played a crucial role in attracting stakeholders, building institutional credibility, and
laying the foundation for impactful investments in agriculture, infrastructure, education, health and enterprise development.

“Mr. Dozie’s calm demeanor, intellectual rigor, and relentless pursuit of excellence were evident in every board meeting, strategic retreat, and public engagement. He was more than a chairman.

“Dozie was a mentor, a guide, and a builder of bridges between generations of leaders, ensuring that the torch of progress would continue to burn bright long after his tenure.

“Through SENDEF, he would help catalyze a renewed sense of purpose in the South East, inspiring young entrepreneurs, fostering job creation, and promoting inclusive prosperity, the duo noted.

They further recalled that his legacy was not only in the policies he championed or the institutions he helped build but in the lives touched and futures transformed.

“We honor Mr. Pascal Dozie today not just for what he did, but for what he stood for: integrity, vision, and a tireless belief in the promise of the South East.

“May his legacy continue to inspire the work of SENDEF and all who share his dream of a thriving, united, and prosperous region.

Rest in Peace, Pioneer Chairman and Patriot,” they prayed.