President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, who died on Tuesday, as a “long time friend of Nigeria and an astute and courageous diplomat.”
President Buhari in morning the later envoy, recalled that he
“openly supported the people of this country when they fought for the return of democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections won by the late Moshood Abiola”.
Buhari said that the story of Nigerian democracy under the Fourth Republic would not be complete without a mention of the heroic roles of the likes of Ambassador Carrington.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Nigeria, I commiserate with the family of the deceased, his friends and admirers as well as the government and people of the United States,” concluded the President in a statement issued by Aso Rock.
A family statement signed by Carrington’s Nigerian wife, Arese, had announced earlier in the day that he died on Tuesday, although she did not state the cause of his death.
“It is with a heavy and broken heart but with gratitude to God for his life of selfless humanity that I announce the passing of my beloved husband Walter Carrington, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal.
“He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 90 years old on Tuesday, August 11th, 2020. Further announcements will be made shortly,” the statement read.
Mrs. Carrington described the late diplomat as a loving husband, father, grandfather, cousin, uncle, friend and in-law.
