Nigeria, April 8 -- Pascal Dozie, a Nigerian entrepreneur who played a defining role in the development of Nigeria's modern banking and telecommunications industries, has died.

He was 85.

Mr Dozie passed away on 8 April, according to a family statement issued by his son, Uzoma Dozie, who described him as a "devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a man of unwavering Catholic faith."

"With deep sorrow, but with gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our beloved father," the son said.

"His life was marked by service-to God, his family, and his country."

Mr Dozie was best known as the founder of Diamond Bank, which he established in 1990 and led until his retirement. The bank grew to become one of Nigeria's...