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Fashola, Tinubu, Mimiko, Others Eulogise Ambassador Carrignton At 80

Jul 24, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Saturday joined other eminent Nigerians like his Ondo State counterpart, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, elderstatesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alahaji Balarabe Musa and Mr Femi Falana in eulogizing former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Walter Carrington for his contributions to the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria.

The notables who gathered at the HAB Fashinro Auditorium of the City Hall in Central Lagos to celebrate Ambassador Carrington who turned 80 and also publicly presented his selected speeches titled: "A duty to Speak; Refusing to Remain Silent in the Time of Tyranny" were unanimous in acknowledging Ambassador Carrington as one who spoke out against injustice when it mattered most.

In his address at the event, Governor Fashola urged all Nigerians to be vigilant because very tough and challenging days lie ahead especially in the political field.

Governor Fashola said now is the time for everybody to be involved in the electoral process to ensure that every vote counts.

He said if Ambassador Carrington and other pro-democracy patriots like him had not opened up and spoken truth to power when they did, many of the political office holders like Governors now in office would not have had the opportunity of getting into office.

Aligning himself with an earlier call that more activists should get involved in the electoral process in order to change things positively, Governor Fashola said it is very regrettable that some of the issues that the National Assembly have passed laws on are not the most important issues affecting the lives of the average Nigerians.

He said if Nigeria has had more activists like lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, maybe some of the enactments that would ensure a full liberalization of the process of distributing electricity would have been completed by the National Assembly.

The Governor also noted that the National Assembly had no business imposing a prepared calendar or schedule on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2011 elections.

Commending the steadfastness of Ambassador Carrington, Governor Fashola said what many Nigerians may not have considered about the role of Ambassador Carrington while in Nigeria is that it is always very difficult to say no to power, noting that if the umpire in the Nigerian elections of 1993 elections had been bold to speak truth to power, Nigeria would not have been plunged into the needless political crises.

The Lagos State Governor said the same situation replayed itself in the 2007 elections when election umpires in Ondo, Edo, Ekiti and Osun States were not bold enough to stick with the truth hence resulting in a situation where some of the contestants in the elections are still in court trying to reclaim their stolen mandates.

Also speaking, Governor Olusegun Mimiko said Nigerians appreciated the service of Dr Carrington which is very significant because he stood on the side of truth in Nigeria even at the risk of losing so many things.

He said in Ondo State, the people have resolved to ensure that every vote counts, adding that the greatest challenge is for people to stand up and be counted for free and fair elections in Nigeria.

The Governor urged all Nigerians to get involved in the electoral and political process by making the country ungovernable if their vote does not count.

While speaking, former Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu lamented that Nigeria is experiencing civil rule but does not have democracy yet with the country still struggling for true federalism.

Asiwaju Tinubu said while Nigeria can now boast of a credible Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it is about to be saddled with an impossible 2011 election timetable foisted on it.

He said the National Assembly should not dictate the election timetable to INEC but should be left to decide how best to organize it.

He congratulated Ambassador Walter Carrington for the contributions he made to the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria, saying he went beyond superficial duties and confronted blatant injustice in Nigeria.

Former Chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) General Alani Akinrinade who chaired the event, commended Governor Fashola for carrying on in the footsteps of his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said Lagos is the only State which has named one monument or the other after all major democratic heroes of the country.

He said part of the ineffectiveness of the political class in Nigeria today could be attributed to the progressives who have failed to act with unity in making major political moves.

He also commended the celebrant for standing on the barricade against tyranny in all its form.

Activist lawyer, Mr Femi Falana in his comments said the whole of the pro democracy groups were impressed with the activities of Dr Carrington while he was serving in Nigeria.

He said just as he as an African American diplomat stood on the side of the people, there were other African Americans who also came to Nigeria and canvassed support for the despotic regime of General Abacha.

Mr Falana added that Nigeria still has a long way to go because the Nigeria of 1993 is even worse than the Nigeria of today, urging all Nigerians to keep up the struggle for a new world devoid of oppression.

The President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and Chairman of Punch Newspapers, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola thanked the Ambassador for fighting the cause of the Nigerian media which felt the pangs of the military junta during the dark days.

The Chief launcher at the public presentation, Chief Kessington Adebutu commended the Ambassador for being on the side of the people, adding that he doubts if Nigeria would have had its kind of democratic experience without the contributions of people like Dr Carrington.

Earlier, while speaking on the book, wife of the celebrant, Dr (Mrs) Arese Carrington had commended Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) describing him as an encyclopedia on good governance, adding that with him the sky would not be the limit for Lagos.

Dr Arese said late Chief Gani Fawehinmi envisioned the publication of the collection of the speeches which she described as well written with historical facts before his death and described the event as the beginning of a new birth for a better nation which has just started.

She said all that is left for all Nigerians is to start by reclaiming the nation through ensuring that they all take an interest in what is going on , adding that by 2011, credible elections should be held and upheld in the nation.

She emphasized that Nigerians must hold their leaders accountable, with every one ensuring that there is no disconnect between those who govern and those they are governing, charging: "You must reclaim Nigeria"

In his appreciation notes, the celebrant, Ambassador Walter Carrington who was supported by his wife, Arese thanked all for making him feel accepted in their midst with his little contributions.

Ambassador Carrignton said when he was appointed as US Ambassador to Nigeria in 1993, it was his hope that he would have cause to hand over his letter of credence to a democratically elected Nigerian leader when he resumes as the elections had just taken place then.

He said it greatly troubled him that he had to contend with a military junta which upturned the popular will of the people and necessitated his speaking out against the injustice.

The well attended ceremony had in attendance dignitaries like, Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, former Governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mr Wale Oshun and Mr Jimi Agbaje among many other dignitaries.