All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu, has described the former United States Ambassador to
Nigeria, Walter Carrington, who died last Wednesday as a
citizen of one nation, son of two.
In a special tribute to the late ambassador, Tinubu said
Carrington came to Nigeria on a diplomatic assignment “but his
true mission was even more sublime. Walter was both an
African and an American. This identity he knew full well for it
shaped who he was and guided what he did.”
The former Lagos governor who collaborated with Carrington in
the struggle for democracy in Nigeria commended the late
ambassador, saying he lent himself to the fight against
repressive government in Nigeria.
“He openly and unconditionally championed the advent of
democratic freedom and constitutional governance in the
country,” he said.
Tinubu’s emotional tribute to Ambassador Carrington titled
“Ambassador Walter Carrington – Citizen of One Nation, Son of
Two” reads: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of former
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington. We thank God
for giving Ambassador Carrington a long life of 90 years full of
exemplary deeds and the best of human achievement.
“We thank God for giving Nigeria Walter Carrington when He
did. Ambassador Carrington came to Nigeria on a diplomatic
assignment but his true mission was even more sublime. Walter
was both an African and an American. This identity he knew full
well for it shaped who he was and guided what he did. The best
of both worlds was evident in him. This man may have been the
citizen of one country but he was surely the brave and
passionate son of two nations.
“Last month, I penned a tribute to Ambassador Carrington as
Nigeria joined him in celebrating his 90 th birthday. Little did any
of us know that we would so soon have to say farewell to this
outstanding example of courage amidst humility, of intellect
teamed with compassion. Walter Carrington was a renowned
scholar, author, and astute, innovative diplomat. These things
are excellent but they don’t tell the full picture. He was much
more than that. He was a proud and noble black man who stood
up for his convictions when it would have been easier to simply
turn and look the other way.
“As American Ambassador to Nigeria (1993-1997), Carrington
lived with us during a troubled and uncertain time. We were in
the clutches of an epic battle between democracy and
dictatorship, between freedom and oppression, between
enlightened progress and authoritarian reaction. Carrington
could have maintained a diplomatic distance. He could have
acted cozily with the Abacha regime. His life would be been less
difficult and safer. But he eschewed personal comfort for the
higher prize of a greater mission. He lent himself to the fight
against repressive government. He openly and unconditionally
championed the advent of democratic freedom and
constitutional governance.
“Without the courage and contributions of Walter Carrington,
democracy might not have come when, and as it did. Certainly,
more of our democracy activists would have suffered and
perhaps lost their lives but for his extraordinary intervention. In
helping to secure the blossom of democracy, he became a thorn
in the side of the regime and of those who simply cannot stand a
good democracy or people being free.
“Among the many foreign friends Nigeria has known over the
years, Carrington was the most selfless. He was also the
foreigner who contributed the most to the end of military rule in
our land. As such, he acted far beyond the call of duty. He acted
as the rare human being he was – the son of two nations. To
paraphrase the title of his book, he refused to remain silent in a
time of tyranny. He refused to be wined and dined while others
were being jailed. He refused to be feted while others were
being beaten. He refused to say all was well when so many were
undergoing all manner of indignity and improper danger.
“Ambassador Carrington was a rare breed. He demonstrated the
power and progress that could happen if only Africa and Black
America recognized that bond that exists between them. He saw
and nurtured it. That bond is what led him to do to for us as a
brother, not just an Ambassador, would do. For this, he was to
face danger and attempts against him in Nigeria.
“What many of you did not know is that he was also to pay a
price in America. Many did not like the unabashed stand he took
as a black man standing up for a black nation. They sought to
hurt and impede him professionally, he now this was the danger
he would face yet he marched onward. He knew the path he
chose was not the easy one but it was truly the right one and thus
it was the only path a man such as he was bound to take.
“As such, he was a man of character and high principle.
Hounded and hunted, Carrington stood undaunted. He refused to
do less than what was right for America and for Nigeria. We can
never forget Ambassador Carrington. To forget him would be a
shameless act like forgetting one’s older brother. Instead, we
honor him. His name shall take its rightful and good place in the
annals of this nation. The principled manner in which he lived
should be taught in to our children.
“We should duly honor this black man who return to us from
across the ocean to prove that neither the passage of time nor
great distance can break the familial ties between us. We thank
Walter Carrington for his love of us, and his special
contributions to this country. May I offer condolences to his
loving wife and our sister, Arese, who was such a wonderful
partner to Walter.
“May God give her the solace and comfort that can come only
from His hand. May God’s tenderest mercies be with their
children and the entire Carrington family over the loss of their
father and patriarch. We must all honor Walter by honoring the
laudable ideals for which he stood. This man became a bridge
between Africa and the African-American. Let us continue his
legacy by expanding and strengthening that bridge for the
benefit of our race. Ambassador Carrington has gone to be with
God. But before he left, he taught us by example what it means
to be pan-Africanist. Now we must follow. Well done
Ambassador Carrington. Extremely well done!”
