At least 27 people have been confirmed dead and more than 160 injured after the roof of a nightclub collapsed in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, authorities said on Tuesday.  The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at the Jet Set club during a live performance by renowned merengue singer Rubby Prez. Rescue efforts are ongoing as emergency teams continue to search through the debris for potential survivors. Juan Manuel Mndez, director of the emergency operations centre, expressed hope that some victims may still be alive beneath the rubble. We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble, he stated. Officials have yet to determine what caused the roof to collapse, which took place nearly an hour after the concert began. Among the injured is Rubby Prez himself, according to authorities. His manager, Enrique Paulino, recounted the chaotic moments leading up to the collapse, saying, It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner. He also revealed that the bands saxophonist was killed in the incident and that he initially thought it was an earthquake. President Luis Abinader responded to the tragedy with a message on social media, stating that all emergency services were “working tirelessly” to assist those affected. We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred, he posted on X. The president later visited the site, offering support to families searching for missing loved ones. At a nearby hospital treating the injured, an official read aloud the names of survivors as anxious family members and friends listened, many shouting out names through tears in a desperate search for news. Footage allegedly taken inside the nightclub before the collapse circulated on social media, showing patrons glancing up at the ceiling and moving away from the centre of the dancefloor. Screams were heard before the video abruptly ended. While the video has not been independently verified, it has added to the growing sense of shock surrounding the incident. The tragedy has cast a pall over the Dominican capital, as authorities continue their investigation and search efforts. Watch some of the videos below   – A roof collapse at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic has left at least 13 people dead and 93 others hospitalized, according to local reports. The tragic incident, which occurred in a popular entertainment venue. Authorities are investigating the cause of the pic.twitter.com/ZoR3Oq12wb The Informant (@theinformant_x) April 8, 2025   World Series champion missing after nightclub ceiling collapse that killed at least 27Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel is among dozens of people missing after a roof collapsed and killed 27 at a popular night club in the Dominican Republic.The incident took place pic.twitter.com/KVUcK76cn5 Grifty (@TheGriftReport) April 8, 2025 The post Many feared d3ad as nightclub roof collapses in Dominican Republic appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

Early Life and Education

Pascal Dozie was born into a modest family in Egbu, a town in Owerri, Imo State, on April 9, 1939. He began his early education in Nigeria before moving to the United Kingdom for higher studies. He earned a degree in Economics from the prestigious London School of Economics and went on to obtain a Master’s in Administrative Science from City University, London. His educational background laid the foundation for a life devoted to economic development and entrepreneurship.

Career

Dozie started his career in consulting and economic advisory roles before returning to Nigeria, where he founded Diamond Bank in 1990. His vision was to create a financial institution that catered especially to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in southeastern Nigeria. Diamond Bank quickly grew into one of Nigeria’s most respected banks and eventually merged with Access Bank in 2019.

Beyond banking, Dozie was instrumental in the growth of telecommunications in Nigeria. He served as the pioneer chairman of MTN Nigeria, guiding the company through its formative years and helping it become the country’s largest mobile network.

He also co-founded Africa Capital Alliance, Nigeria’s first indigenous private equity firm, and was a former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

Honours and Recognition

In recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s economy and private sector development, Pascal Dozie was awarded the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Personal Life

Pascal Dozie was married to Chinyere Dozie and had children, including Uzoma Dozie, who succeeded him as CEO of Diamond Bank. He was known for his humility, brilliance, and passion for youth empowerment.

Death

Pascal Dozie passed away on April 8, 2025, just one day shy of his 86th birthday. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through the institutions he built and the lives he touched.

ALSO READ: Pascal Dozie, founder of defunct Diamond Bank, dies at 84

World’s second-largest automaker, Volkswagen Group has made the shock decision to put all US-bound cars on hold after introducing a 25% tariff on all imported models.  The global automaker confirmed it’s in a high-stakes holding pattern triggered by President Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles. Reacting to the move, a spokesperson for Volkswagen Group criticised the new tariff, warning that it could damage economies worldwide, including in America. They explained: “We share the assessment of most experts that US tariffs and any counter-tariffs will have negative consequences for growth and prosperity in the US and other economic areas. The entire automotive industry, global supply chains and companies as well as customers will have to bear the negative consequences.” Volkswagen has been producing vehicles in America since 1978 and currently builds several popular models, such as the Atlas SUV and ID.4 electric crossover, in its Tennessee factory. However, other Volkswagen models, including the Jetta saloon and Tiguan SUV, are made in neighbouring Mexico, while the Golf is imported from Germany. Other brands in the Volkswagen Group, such as Audi, also import their entire range of models from overseas.  As a result, the new import tariff will affect a significant number of Volkswagen models, making them more expensive for consumers to buy. To demonstrate the cause of the increased prices for consumers, Volkswagen stated that all models sold in America will feature an ‘import fee’, which will be shown alongside other typical charges, such as road tax and optional extras. According to a memo sent to car dealers, Volkswagen Group will also freeze shipments to America until further notice, with the company said to have just under three months worth of remaining stock.  Executives at the German company are reportedly aiming to persuade the Trump Administration to revise the terms of the tariff.The post World’s second largest automaker, Volkswagen Group stops all US car imports after Trump tariffs appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.