BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR— Pathé Dione, founder and President of SUNU Group, is dead.
Dione passed away on Thursday 12th January at the age of 81 years.
A statement released by SUNU management through its Head, Corporate Service, Japari Modibbo Yusuf, reads: “SUNU Group Management announces with deep sadness, the demise of Mr. Pathé DIONE, Founder and President of SUNU Group.
He was an eminent actor in the financial services sector, who devoted his entire life to contributing to the development of Africa by Africans and for Africans. By creating the SUNU Group in 1998, he advocated for 24 years the values of respect, probity and excellence that underpin the identity of the SUNU Group and then entrusted the reins to the Managing Director and the two Deputy Managing Directors.
“Born on December 29, 1941 in Dakar, Senegal, of French-Senegalese nationality, Mr. Pathé DIONE is the President and CEO, Founder of the SUNU Group. With a turnover of 234 billion FCFA (357 million euros) at the end of 2021 and more than 567 billion FCFA (865 million euros) in assets under management, the SUNU Group is the leading Life insurer in the CIMA zone (Inter-African Conference of Insurance Markets).
“With some 30 companies, including a bank, a microfinance company, and a health management company, the SUNU Group is present in 17 French- and English-speaking sub-Saharan African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, DRC, Senegal, Togo.
“Our sincere condolences to his family, friends, thousands of collaborators, state leaders and authorities, partners and directors of organisations, associations, and companies in the financial sector in Africa and loyal clients. The program of the funeral will be announced later,” it stated.
“He has a Master’s degree in Mathematics in Paris – 1966; Graduated from ENASS – Administration section in Paris – 1974; DEA (post-graduate diploma) in Politics and Monetary Economics, Paris II – 1977; Graduate of the Centre des Hautes Etudes d’Assurances in Paris – 1979; Doctorate in Economic Sciences, Paris Panthéon-Sorbone – 1980; Training in General Management from CEDEP / INSEAD – 1992.
“On his professional career, he is a Professor of Mathematics, student employee at Mutuelles du Mans – Paris; General Manager of COLINA SA in Ivory Coast (1980-1985); Director of the Africa Zone at UAP International and AXA (1985-1999); Chairman of SUNU Finances Holding S.A (since 1999); and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SUNU Assurances now called SUNU.”
