From left; Governor Raji Fashola,of Lagos State, former American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington, his wife, Arese, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Ayaoku and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the Public Presentation and launch of A Duty to Speak: Refusing to Remain Silent in a Time of Tyranny in honour of Ambassador Carrington on his 80th birthday in Lagos.

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and his Ondo State counterpart, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, led other prominent Nigerians yesterday to celebrate the former Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, Mr.Walter Carrington, who clocked 80 years.

Speakers at the event, which also featured  the launch of a book,“A Duty to Speak”, took turns to task Nigerians to emulate Carrington who fought for democracy and greater Nigeria during the military junta particularly during the Abacha regime.

The book, a collection of the ambassador’s speeches between 1993 and 1997, was published by Mrs. Basirat Fawehinmi-Biobaku, daughter of the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

Other prominent personalities that attended the event in Lagos include the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu; former secretary-general of Commonwealth, Mr. Emeka Anyaoku; rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana; Professor Akinwunmi Ishola; Chief Adebayo Faleti; Senator Ayo Fasanmi; General Alani Akinrinade, who chaired the occasion, and members of pro-democracy and human rights activist groups.

Carrington, who served as ambassador from 1993-1997, was described by Chief Anthony Enahoro as a fearless and courageous leader who contributed immensely to the June 12 struggle.

Fashola said that it became necessary to honour Carrington because of two reasons: the gains and assistance that the country and individuals had so far inherited from him.

Enahoro, who was represented by the former military administrator of Lagos State, Admiral Ndibuisi Kanu, said, “Carrington struck me as a unique personality and he was totally instrumental to the formation of NADECO”.

Tinubu recounted the period of military dictatorship in the country and the June 12 struggle, commending Carrington for speaking out in support of the late Moshood Abiola as winner of the June 12 1993 election despite pressure from his country men who spoke contrary to his stand.

Mimiko charged Nigerians to replicate Enahoro’s resilience in the struggle for justice in the 2011 elections urging them to ensure that their votes must count.

Mrs Fawehinmi-Biobaku said the book presentation was the fulfilment of her father’s dream to honour the ambassador for his role to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.

“When my father was on the sick bed, he told me that one thing he would have loved to do but that his ill health would not enable is presenting a book in honour of Carrington. He however directed me to do so. I believe that my father will be happy in his grave seeing this presentation fulfilled. I’m happy I carry out my father’s wishes”, she recounted.

In his remarks, Carrington, described Fawehinmi as a great human right activist, who had made him proud as a lawyer.

His wife, Arese Carrington, in her speech, entitled, “Reclaim Nigeria”, attributed the state of the nation to subsequent bad leadership since independence charged Nigerians to stand up and claim what rightfully belongs to them.