NEWS
Titanic: My Late 19-Year Nephew Was Terrifyed Before Embarking – Aunt
Azmeh Dawood, the older sister of Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, shared her nephew’s reluctance to embark on the Titan expedition.
The 19-year-old university student, accompanying his father on the trip, expressed hesitation and fear about exploring the wreckage of the Titanic.
Despite his concerns, Suleman decided to join the expedition over Father’s Day weekend to please his passionate father.
Azmeh, while devastated by the news, hoped for the best but feared the worst as she followed the search efforts closely.
Azmeh’s distress grew in the agonizing four days that followed. She remained glued to television news coverage, anxiously awaiting updates about her brother and nephew, all the while dreading the inevitable.
The confirmation from OceanGate that all five passengers were presumed dead, along with the U.S. Coast Guard’s revelation of debris consistent with a “catastrophic implosion,” shattered her. The surreal nature of the situation overwhelmed Azmeh, leaving her in disbelief and struggling to breathe.
As scions of one of Pakistan’s most prominent corporate dynasties, Azmeh and Shahzada come from a family with vast investments and influence.
Over the years, Azmeh had grown apart from her brother, partially due to disagreements about her use of medicinal cannabis to manage her multiple sclerosis.
However, her bond with her nephew, Suleman, remained strong. The news of their presumed deaths rekindled Azmeh’s intense love for her sibling, reminding her of their shared past and the close relationship she had with her “baby brother.”
Azmeh and Shahzada’s parents issued a statement asking for prayers and expressing gratitude to the search teams.
The immense love and support from others helped the family endure the unimaginable loss. Azmeh fondly remembered Shahzada’s lifelong fascination with the Titanic, which began during their childhood in Pakistan.
She acknowledged his obsession with the tragic event, from watching films and documentaries to visiting exhibitions featuring artifacts from the wreckage. Though Azmeh would never have chosen to undertake such a risky venture, she understood her brother’s decision to purchase tickets for the ill-fated OceanGate mission.
As Azmeh reflected on the tragedy that befell her family, she couldn’t help but consider the global impact and the emotional turmoil experienced by people worldwide. Sorting through old family photos, she grappled with the immense trauma and suspense that affected not only her loved ones but also the entire world.
“I feel very bad that the whole world has had to go through so much trauma, so much suspense,” she said.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
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The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
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He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
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Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
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