The Akwa Ibom State Government Wednesday joined United States Government and people to remember their citizens who died on September 11, 2011 during terrorist attacks at the twin tower of the World Trade Centre, New York and other cities.

Governor Godswill Akpabio called for a minute silence in honour of the people who perished 12 years ago in separate terrorist attacks when the Consul-General of the United States of America, Lagos, Jeffrey Hawkins, paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Office, Uyo.

Akpabio recapped: “Your visit today is remarkable as you come exactly on the same day that we lost so many United States citizens of the terrorist attack on the Trade Centre. So may we rise to observe a minute silence for them and their souls rest in perfect peace.”

Welcoming the Consul-General and his team, the Governor said: “American investors are always welcomed in the state. Already, we have Americans working in the state. Even our state government jet is being operated by American crew and American investors could holiday in serene and secure environment in the state.”

He called on US government to partner the state government in bringing in more US companies to operate in Ibaka Deep Seaport when completed, hinting that President Jonathan had granted free trade zone to the seaport.

Responding, the US Consul-General, Hawkins said their visit to Akwa Ibom was to inspect US companies operating in the state, and used the forum express his happiness with the government on the provision of lasting infrastructure in the state.

Hawkins commended the state government and the people for hosting some US major investments in the country, noting that he looks forward to discussing relative issues with the state and the nation.

Meanwhile, in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, emotions of pain, grief and anger were re-enacted at the U.S. Consulate General as students, parents and staff gathered at the Public Affairs Section to watch a documentary on the September 11, 2001 attack titled “Inside 9/11: Zero Hour,” which is a comprehensive account of the history and motivation behind the attack.

The event was designed to discuss issues such as racism, intolerance and hatred, and peace promotion, with a particular emphasis on promoting a global perspective and empowering students to create a better world.

Before screening the documentary, Public Affairs Officer Dehab Ghebreab told the audience that “the event of September 11, 2001 changed America and the world at large, including our day-to-day activities,” adding that “the United States Government is doing all it can to make the world a better place for all of us.” She urged participants to take cues from the documentary to be aware of their environment and learn to solve problems in a peaceful manner.

The Public Affairs Officer concluded her remarks with the quote by the President Barack Obama: “Today we are engaged in a deadly global struggle for those who would intimidate, torture, and murder people for exercising the most basic freedoms. If we are to win this struggle and spread those freedoms, we must keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction.”

During the feedback session, many of the participants were moved with tears about the brutality of the terrorists. They highlighted the need for every individual to work in concert with the government in bringing about peaceful co-existence in the country and the world at large.

•Consulate Photo by Kester Abudu shows Mrs. Dehab Ghebreab, Public Affairs Officer, welcoming students and parents to the event marking September 11 terrorist attack on the United States . . . Wednesday in Abuja.

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