In a poignant tribute, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, paid her respects to the victims of the August 26, 2011 terrorist attack on the UN building in Abuja. This solemn occasion also witnessed Mrs. Tinubu laying a solemn wreath at the UN staff memorial cenotaph.
Following the wreath-laying, Mrs. Tinubu delivered a succinct address advocating for global peace. As she passionately voiced her plea for a world free from the scourge of terrorism, she beseeched society to unite against this menace, averting its devastating impact.
“In the realm of a united human community, we must redirect our collective vigour towards nurturing peace, fostering dialogue, and combatting the forces of animosity and discord. We must draw strength from the sacrifices made in the name of peace and rekindle our commitment to the tenets of unity, empathy, and collaboration that the UN embodies.”
Amid the solemnity of the event, the First Lady fervently commemorated the lives that were lost in the attack. Her tribute extended to the individuals who diligently championed peace and progress within the walls of the UN building. The ceremony poignantly conveyed the shared resolve to actualise a world where the ideals of peace, justice, and cooperation championed by the United Nations transcend theoretical notions, becoming a tangible reality for all.
The tribute took on international dimensions as Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary General of the UN Office of Counterterrorism, joined Mrs. Tinubu in the wreath-laying ceremony. In his address, Voronkov underscored the imperative of forging solidarity and offering unwavering support to victims of terrorism worldwide. He acknowledged that terrorism, with its far-reaching repercussions, continuously threatens global peace and security, leaving countless victims in its wake.
Terrorism’s brutal impact remains inescapable, affecting nations and communities at large. Voronkov’s words held a mirror to Nigeria’s own experiences, as the nation has encountered the bitter consequences of terrorism within its borders and beyond. He reinforced the reality that the UN itself has not been immune to terrorism, invoking the haunting memory of the attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, on August 19, 2003.
The poignant ceremony witnessed the presence of key UN agency leaders in Nigeria, and its solemnity echoed the universal call for harmony, resilience, and unity against the scourge of terrorism.
