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US Marks Terror Attack, Remembers Three Nigerians
Americans yesterday commemorated the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
Three Nigerians, who died after al Qaida terrorists slammed passenger jets into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre (WTC) in New York, were also remembered as their names were engraved at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York.
They were; Mr Godwin Ajala, 33, Mr Ignatius Udo Adanga, 62, and Ms Olabisi Shadie Layeni-Yee.
Ajala was a Nigerian lawyer who migrated to the U.S. in 1995. He was working as a security officer at the World Trade Centre and some close associates said he was preparing to take his New York State Bar examination before his untimely death.
Adanga was a staff of the planning department of the Metropolitan Transportation Council at the World Trade Centre. He left Lagos as young man, moved to Liberia and Germany, before migrating to New York some two decades before 2001.
Layeni-Yee, who worked at the World Trade Centre as an assistant manager for International Office Centres, started work there in 1993.
On Sept. 11, she was reported to have phoned her mum, Edith Layeni, who lived in Newark, shortly before the WTC collapsed.
In New York, President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, led the country to observe a moment of silence at 8.46 a.m local time to coincide with the exact time one of the hijacked planes hit the World Trade Centre in 2001.
Additional periods of silence were observed at 9.59 a.m. and 10.28 a.m. to mark the moments that the two towers at the World Trade Centre fell.
At the commemoration ceremony held at the National September 11 Memorial located at the World Trade Centre site in New York, Obama read a passage from Psalm 46.
The scripture affirms: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Former President George W. Bush, who was in charge during the 2011 attack, also attended the solemn event with his wife, Laura.
Relatives of victims who died in the attack read out their names at the ceremony amid tears and outbursts of emotion.
In a related development, a memorial service to honour the victims of the 9/11 attack on the U.S. was held at the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in Moscow.
The U.S. Ambassador to Russia, John Beyrle, in an emotional speech, said “people, for the sake of their children, should join forces to build a world in which terrorists would not be able to justify their actions or to find refuge.
“The U.S. remembers how people were bringing flowers, icons and toys to its embassies all over the world, including Moscow, after the attacks,” Beyrle said.
People in all countries denounced the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, as well as the Beslan and Nord Ost tragedies, he added.
The American ambassador said that the fight against terrorism involved those who believed in tolerance and love and those who were on the side of hatred and fear.
Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, speaking at the sixth session of the Valdai Discussion Club, said: “Russia is mourning the victims of the September 11 attacks, just as we did back in 2001.
“We mourn the victims of the September 11 attacks, just as we did back in 2001. Like no other country. Russia knows what a terrorist act is like. On September 3, we too commemorated those killed in terror attacks in Russia.
“It’s yet another reminder that we have to put aside any differences and join forces in the face of common challenges,” Putin added.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene