Contrary to expressed fears in many quarters within and outside the country that Nigeria is headed for disintegration, the former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington, has expressed his belief that Nigeria would never break up.
Mr. Carrington, who stated this while participating on a live interactive programme on Unilorin 89.3 FM radio station, said, “I see Nigeria not only surviving but prevailing; I see Nigeria getting stronger rather than getting weaker.”
Describing Nigerians as one of the most talented people in the world who excel in almost all they do in life, the former envoy said, “I think one of the great storiethat need to be told about Nigeria is that in spite of the numerous challenges, the country has survived, in spite of the fact that you have over 300 ethnic groups you have survived.” Ambassador Carrington, who had held the audience spell-bound while delivering an insightful Convocation Lecture at the University Auditorium said that rue democracy began with the idea of free and fair elections. He, however, pointed out that the citizens have to be sure that even with the elections, the people elected are God fearing and truly have the interest of the people at heart.
The former envoy, who was accompanied to the radio studio by his Nigerian-born wife, Dr. Arese Carrington, urged governments at all levels to make sure that the citizenry get the dividends of democracy by ensuring that campaign promises are implemented.
On the forthcoming National Conference in Nigeria, Ambassador Carrington pointed out that the idea of a national dialogue came up during his tour of duty as US Ambassador to the country between 1993 and 1997.
Also speaking on the radio programme, the wife of the former Ambassador, Dr. Arese Carrington, said, “Democracy is a process, which calls for mass education, strengthening of civil societies and making sure that the people hold their leaders accountable.”
She stressed the need for Nigerians to guard the nascent democracy jealously, saying that there is a lot to lose in the future if democracy is allowed to fail.
On the status of education in Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Carrington said there was need to be more focused. She, however ,disclosed that she was quite impressed with the standards at the University of Ilorin and commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, who she described as “very focused and visionary.”
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