The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has commemorated five Nigerians and persons of Nigerian origin who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Key Highlights:
- NiDCOM honoured five Nigerians killed in the 9/11 attacks.
- The victims included Godwin Ajala, Ignatius Adanga, Olabisi Layeni-Yee, Sadie Ette and Ayodeji Awe.
- The commission said their names and stories must not be forgotten.
- NiDCOM expressed sympathy and prayers for the victims’ families.
- The anniversary highlights the global contributions and presence of Nigerians.
The commission, in a statement issued as the world marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks, signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, its director of media, public relations and protocols on Monday, said the victims’ names and stories must not be allowed to disappear with time.
NiDCOM Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, specifically remembered Godwin Ajala, Ignatius Adanga, Olabisi Layeni-Yee, Sadie Ette and Ayodeji Awe, among those who lost their lives in the attacks.
The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, killed nearly 3,000 people after hijackers crashed passenger planes into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia and a field in Pennsylvania.
Dabiri-Erewa said 25 years after the tragedy, the passage of time had not diminished the pain suffered by families who lost loved ones.
She said the victims were more than statistics associated with one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history, describing them as people who had families, careers, aspirations and dreams.
“We remember them. We remember their families. We remember the lives they lived and the dreams they carried.
Twenty-five years later, they are not forgotten. Their names remain, and their stories must continue to be told,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss urged younger generations who did not witness the attacks to learn about the lives of those who died and the impact of the tragedy on their families and communities.
Read also:
- First Lady calls for compassion for Elderly as She launches Senior Citizens Centre in Uyo
- Trump issues fresh warning, vows to hit Iran “very hard”
- IPOB releases further details of $19,000 payment to Ejiofor
She also expressed sympathy with the families and loved ones of the Nigerian victims, praying for their continued strength, comfort and healing.
According to her, remembering the Nigerian victims also underscores the global presence of Nigerians and their contributions to communities outside the country.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to recognising the lives, contributions and experiences of Nigerians living abroad, stressing that every Nigerian life matters regardless of where the person resides.
She said the anniversary should not only serve as a reminder of the lives lost but should also provide an opportunity to celebrate the legacies of the victims.
She prayed for the peaceful rest of all those killed in the attacks and for continued comfort for their families.
