Nigerian politician, Ned Nwoko has revealed that he was invited to join the tour of the famous Titanic Ship wreckage.
Nwoko said this on Friday, while grieving over his friend and partner, Hamish Harding, a passenger in the ill-fated Titan submersible.
Mr Harding, a British businessman, explorer, and multiple-Guinness World Record holder, including one for the longest time spent traversing the deepest part of the ocean on a single dive, was one of the five people who died aboard the imploded submersible.
The politician took to his verified Instagram handle and explained why he couldn’t make the Titanic tour despite the invitation. He also eulogised Mr Harding while recounting adventures they had explored together.
Late Harding, and his teenage son, Giles, joined Mr Nwoko during his January 2020 expedition to Antarctica alongside a team of scientists from Russia, India, China, the U.S., and the UK.
Nwoko stated that he aimed to use the global attention the expedition attracted to create Awareness of Malaria Eradication in Africa.
His tribute read, “I have lost a dear friend and business partner. Captain Hamish Harding. We both went on a dangerous expedition to Southpole, Antarctica, a few years back. He was a gulf stream pilot who flew across the world in a record-breaking expedition by the Guinness world record to circumnavigate the Earth some years ago. He descended into the Mariana.”
“He also invited me on his space shuttle last year and this very Titan ill-fated adventure, but I was tied down with national duties. Above all, he was a partner in the various pieces of research into eradicating malaria in Africa project.”
Nwoko recalled Mr Harding’s last message as regards the tour before they went on the journey on Sunday. He extended his family’s condolences to Harding’s family as well.
“He was very enthusiastic about it and always gave his support at every given opportunity. His last message to me was this Sunday when he told me they were ready to dive into the Titanic if the weather permits.”
“He loved adventure and challenges. My heart bleeds for his dear wife and kids, who have become family friends. We will surely miss his wealth of experience,’’ he said.
The Titanic submersible went missing after it dived on Sunday. It was reportedly said to have suffered a ‘catastrophic implosion, which led to the death of all five passengers on board.
