The tragedy of the September 11 attack on the Nigerian victims

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As the world celebrated the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, honored the memory of the Nigerians who died in the attack.

The head of the Commission, in a press statement by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Monday in Abuja, noted that time has not erased the memories of those who never returned home that day, even as their names remain part of history and must never be forgotten.

According to Dabiri-Erewa, among the victims were Nigerians and people of Nigerian origin whose lives, dreams and future were tragically cut short.

He remembered Godwin O. Ajala, Ignatius Udo Adanga, Olabisi Shadie Layeni-Yee, Sadie Ini Ette and Ayodeji Awe, who were among those who lost their lives in the attacks that shocked the world on September 11, 2001.

He said that although a quarter of a century has passed since that dark day, the loss of a loved one has not been measured by time, stressing that the stories of those who died should continue to be told, particularly to younger generations who did not witness the tragedy.

The NIDCOM chief extended his thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims, stressing that behind the numbers associated with 9/11 were people with 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,” he said.

Dabiri-Erewa said remembering the Nigerian victims also reflects the far-reaching presence of Nigerians around the world and the lasting bonds they have built in the communities where they live, work and contribute.

He reaffirmed NIDCOM’s commitment to recognizing and honoring the lives, contributions and experiences of Nigerians in the diaspora, stressing that the life of every Nigerian matters, wherever they are in the world.

While the anniversary remains a painful reminder of the lives lost, he said the remembrance also offers an opportunity to celebrate the lives the victims lived and the legacies they left behind, rather than allowing their stories to fade with time.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the victims and for strength, comfort and healing for their families and loved ones who continue to bear the pain of their loss.