The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has paid tribute to Nigerians and persons of Nigerian origin who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, saying their names and stories must not be erased by time.
Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement marking the 25th anniversary of the tragedy—signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun—remembered Godwin O. Ajala, Ignatius Udo Adanga, Olabisi Shadie Layeni-Yee, Sadie Ini Ette, and Ayodeji Awe among those whose lives were cut short in the attacks that claimed thousands of lives and altered the course of global history.
She noted that the passage of a quarter of a century had not diminished the pain of losing loved ones, stressing that behind the statistics associated with September 11 were individuals 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,” she said.
The NiDCOM boss extended her thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims, adding that remembrance was particularly important for younger generations who did not witness the tragedy firsthand.
She stated that the Nigerian victims represented the far-reaching presence of Nigerians across the world and the enduring connections they had built within the communities where they lived, worked, and contributed. According to her, the anniversary should serve not only as a painful reminder of lives lost, but also as an opportunity to celebrate their lives and legacies.
Dabiri-Erewa reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to recognising and honouring the contributions and experiences of Nigerians in the diaspora, stressing that every Nigerian life matters, regardless of where they reside globally.
She offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the victims and for strength, comfort, and healing for the families who continue to bear the pain of their loss.
