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Tag: Carrington

  • How Nigeria can fulfill potential, by Carrington

    How Nigeria can fulfill potential, by Carrington

    Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria Walter Carrington yesterday said Nigeria can realise its potential by taking advantage of its population boom and creating an enabling environment for youth productivity.

    He said Cote D’Ivoire and Senegal had impressive growth rates than Nigeria last year due to their less reliance on oil.

    He said Nigeria must diversify its sources of export earnings, and focus on sectors such as agriculture, energy and infrastructure.

    Carrington (87) said Nigeria continues to be frozen out of membership of confederation of nations, which are thought to be the most important in the world.

    South Africa, he said, enjoys more respect internationally than Nigeria despite its size and resources.

    The former ambassador delivered a public lecture in Lagos with the theme: “Nigeria and Africa in a changing world. It was organised by the Lagos State Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment”.

    His wife, Arese, presented her memoir: “Defend the defenseless” at the event.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was represented at the event by Secretary to the State Government Mr. Tunji Bello

    According to Carrington, Nigeria’s growth rate last year slowed to “an anemic” 1.6 per cent.

    He said the weak performance, according to a United Nation (UN) report, were due to depressed oil prices, falling oil production, energy shortages and price hikes, scarcity of foreign exchange and depressed consumer demand.

    In contrast, Cote D’Ivoire, he said, posted an impressive growth rate of eight per cent, while Senegal grew by 6.3 per cent.

    Carrington said there has been a raft of optimistic predictions for Nigeria’s future “partly because of the feeling that Nigeria, under its current leadership, is on the verge of turning around.”

    The former ambassador said although its economy is the 20th largest in the world and is expected by 2050 to rise to number nine, Nigeria has not been invited to the G-20, which claims to represent the world’s most advanced economies.

    “South Africa whose economy is smaller and is not expected to grow as dramatically as Nigeria’s is, however, a member.

    “I continue to wonder whether the continuing domination of South Africa’s economy by her white minority gives Western countries a comfort level that they do not feel when dealing with black controlled economies in the rest of Africa.

    “Some 15 years ago, four of the world’s major emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India and China, came together in a group that became known by the acronym BRIC. In 2010, seeking an African member, they chose South Africa which became the S in the newly named BRICS.

    “I look forward to the day when Nigeria becomes the N in a renamed group of six, which will be known as the BRINCS,” he said.

    Carrington said Nigeria’s “perceived advantages” are its population size, being the largest consumer market by far in Africa,  and its strategic location, which he said in the “supersonic age” of 2050 may only be a couple of hours away from the capitals of Europe.

    “Nigeria has long been the country of potential yet to be realised. Optimism for 2030 and 2050 rests upon taking advantage of the expected population boom, which, however, if not managed correctly could turn out to be as dangerous a double-edged sword as was the oil boom.

    “Nigerians have always been the most entrepreneurial of Africa’s people. The youth of tomorrow are likely to be even more so. Their numbers in proportion to the rest of the population will be even larger than today’s.

    “The challenge will be to establish an enabling climate, which can absorb them productively,” he said.

    Bello paid tribute to Carrington, saying he stood by democracy in the heady of days of dictatorship in Nigeria.

    “We appreciate the Carringtons and will continue to support the family. He was Nigeria’s ambassador at a critical time in Nigeria’s history,” Bello said.

    Former Punch chairman Chief Ajibola Ogunsola chaired the event.

    Also present were Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, General Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), eminent scholar Prof. Adebayo Williams, Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu, Chief Kessington Adebutu and former bank czar Mr. Fola Adeola, who was the chief launcher.

  • Carrington condoles with Benin on monarch’s demise

    Carrington condoles with Benin on monarch’s demise

    A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, has condoled with the people of Benin Kingdom in Edo State on the passage of their traditional ruler, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

    In a message, Carrington said: “My heartfelt condolences go to the people of Benin on the passing of the late Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolopkolo Erediauwa. I also extend my condolences to His Royal Highness (HRH), Eheneden Erediauwa, the royal family, palace chiefs and the Benin Traditional Council.

    “The late Oba Erediawa lived an exemplary and selfless life, not only as a civil servant but also as a leader and the king.

    “As the traditional burial rites begin, may the people of the land of my in-laws be comforted, knowing that the heir apparent to the throne, HRH Eheneden Erediauwa, will continue the good works of his father.

    “Arese and I will keep the people of Benin in our hearts and prayers.”

  • U.S. envoy inducts Carrington fellows

    U.S. envoy inducts Carrington fellows

    The United States (U.S.) Consulate in Lagos has inducted the 2015 participants in the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI). The 17 fellows were presented with certificates and special awards in a ceremony held on Wednesday at the U.S. Consular General House in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    In his goodwill message read to the fellows, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington, after whom the fellowship was named, described the fellows as “transformation generation”, saying his heart swelled with pride, learning about the brilliance and achievements of the participants.

    He said: “I see in all the fellows the burning embers of idealism of my long-ago years. The challenge is to keep that fire burning as you grow older. Nigeria needs young people like you more than ever before. Yours is a transformation generation; a generation of which the country’s founder would be proud as you carry out works that will enrich the nation’s wellbeing and ensure Nigeria will, at last, become a great nation that so many have longed for it to be.”

    U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Maria Brewer described the participants as “talented group of young leaders”.

  • Nigeria suffering from ‘Dutch disease’, says Carrington

    Nigeria suffering from ‘Dutch disease’, says Carrington

    Former United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Nigeria Walter Carrington has urged the country to diversify its economy to reduce its reliance on petroleum in the face of falling oil prices.

    Carrington said the country, like many other highly endowed extractive natural resource nations, suffers from what economists call ‘Dutch disease’.

    Dutch disease is the negative impact on an economy of anything that gives rise to a sharp inflow of foreign currency, such as the discovery of large oil reserves. The currency inflows lead to currency appreciation, making the country’s other products less price competitive on the export market.

    He, however, expressed confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari, saying he has the honesty and dedication to turn things around for good.

    Speaking at the University of Benin’s First Eminent Lecture Series, the diplomat said Nigeria was experiencing what he called a contradiction of development economics – “growth without development”.

    He spoke on the theme: Nigeria and Future of the Black World.

    ‘Dutch disease’, Carrington said, is where other economic sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing are relatively ignored.

    The result, according to him, is that Nigeria’s overall unemployment rate rose from 6.4 per cent to 24.20 per cent from 2006 to this year.

    The figure, Carrington said, represents about half of the rate for young people between the ages of 15 and 34.

    “That Nigeria has had one of the strongest growth rates in Africa is encouraging. However, its sustainability is in doubt because of the near collapse worldwide in oil prices.

    “The country must do what so many OPEC members are doing – diversify its economy to lessen the dependence on petroleum, which provides an outsized portion of the national budget.

    “Members of my generation remember the days before the oil boom. We remember that at the time of independence in 1960, Nigeria’s annual agricultural crop yields were higher than those of Indonesia and Malaysia. Today, they have dwindled by half as much.

    “The fact that Nigeria’s current yield per hectare is less than 50 per cent of that of comparable developing countries demonstrates how much Nigeria has abandoned its once promising agricultural sector.

    “Until Nigeria is able to rely less on capital intensive sectors of the economy and more on labour intensive ones, it will be difficult to see how it will meet its ambitious goals to make the country one of the world’s 20 most important economies.

    “Diversification is urgently needed to make the economy less vulnerable to downswings in petroleum prices,” Carrington said.

    The former U.S. ambassador said some people identified Nigeria as the great hope of the Black World.

    He said although many dismissed Africa as a continent of nations, whose leaders were too venal to govern on their people’s behalf, Nigeria can prove them wrong.

    “I feel confident that in President Buhari you have a leader with honest, dedicated and tough enough to turn this country around. I have always admired his record of public probity and his lack of private flamboyance.

    “As a private citizen, he has lived modestly and since taking on the duties of head of state, he has set a refreshing example of financial transparency, which all public officials should and must emulate,” he said.

    Carrington’s wife, Arese, an international public health consultant, who gave the second lecture with the theme: “The female imperative in the new Africa”, emphasised the need for proper education.

    “With an education, no one can pull the wool over our eyes. Education gives us the ability to think for ourselves and analyse things critically. An uneducated population is a population in bondage,” she said.

  • Obama, Ban-Ki Moon, Carrington, Hollande, others greet president-elect

    Obama, Ban-Ki Moon, Carrington, Hollande, others greet president-elect

    The World rose in unison yesterday to endorse Saturday’s election won by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    The United Nations, the United States, France and the European Union observer team in separate statements commended the polls’ outcome and hailed outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for being magnanimous in victory.

    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and other world leaders congratulated President-elect Buhari on his hard worn victory.

    In a statement from in New York, Ban said he had spoken to Jonathan and Buhari on the outcome of the polls as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He commended Jonathan for his leadership qualities throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process.  He also applauded the INEC for organising the elections in a professional and credible “manner under challenging circumstances”.  The UN Chief called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections

    Ban also appealed to them to address any complaints they may have through existing legal and constitutional channels.  The Secretary-General said the successful conduct of the polls was a testimony to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.  He expressed hope that the same democratic spirit would prevail in the conduct of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on April 11.

    United States President Barack Obama also congratulated President-elect Buhari.

    In a statement, Obama said: “The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles.  By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully.

    “I commend President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign.  President Jonathan has placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory.  I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture.  I urge President-Elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition.

    “Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, deserve special recognition for what independent international observers have deemed a largely peaceful and orderly vote.  I commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.  Looking ahead to the gubernatorial elections on April 11, it is imperative that national attention turn to ensuring isolated logistical challenges are overcome and peace is protected, even in the most hotly contested races.

    “On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to President-Elect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities.”

    The President of the Republic of France, Mr François Hollande congratulated Gen. Buhari in a statement issued in Abuja by France embassy in Nigeria. It stated that Hollande welcomed the commitment of the Nigerian people and the professionalism exhibited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the polls.

    According to the statement, the French President will speak with Buhari today as France intends to continue its cordial relationship with Nigeria.

    “France continues to stand with Nigeria to uphold democratic values, fight against terrorism and promote economic partnership between the two countries,’’ it said.

    It added: “This is a victory for the president, but it’s also a victory for the people of Nigeria who affirmed their attachment to democracy and their confidence in the future, by refusing to allow themselves to be intimidated by terrorists.

    “Today, Nigeria can show the world that it is a major democracy. It is a source of pride for the population and a source of satisfaction to Nigeria’s partners.

    “We welcome the spirit of responsibility demonstrated by the political leaders and pay tribute to the action of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I hope that President Buhari’s term of office will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries and to put an end to Boko Haram’s terrorist activities. We also hope that Nigeria will be able to continue its remarkable economic growth, in the interest of the continent’s prosperity.”

    President-elect Buhari has been receiving congratulatory messages from other world a and Nigerians leaders. He received former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his wife Hajiya Titi and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle, among others.

    They all pledged their support and commitment to ensuring the success of the Buhari administration and for better relations between their countries and Nigeria.

    In his response to the various leaders, General Buhari thanked the international community for working with Nigerians in providing the atmosphere that helped to bring about change through elections in the country.

    He promised to work with the international community to restore Nigeria’s full commitment and obligations to the international system.

    Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Walter Carrington in a statement said: “Nigeria has passed the most important milestone on the road to an enduring democracy – the peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box from one party to another.  President-Elect Buhari has achieved a decisive victory.  In spite of serious security threats the people of Nigeria turned out in impressive numbers to declare by whom they wish to be governed for the next four years.  President Jonathan has set the stage for a peaceful transfer of power through his gracious congratulatory call to his successor.

    ”I feel great optimism for the future of my wife’s homeland.  A united Nigeria under the leadership of a man so dedicated and capable of curbing corruption and restoring peace and security can reclaim its moral authority as the leader of the continent from which my ancestors came.

    ”Arese and I pray for the success of the Buhari administration and will do all we can to work for the strengthening of relations between the United States and Nigeria.”

    The European Union (EU) Observer Mission for the elections yesterday described President Jonathan as a good example to the world following the way he conducted the polls and conceded victory to his opponent without rancour.

    Head of the EU Observer Mission, Santiago Fisas said: “I congratulate him (Jonathan) for that and I seized the opportunity to give to him our preliminary report about the election.

    “He was very happy and of course, I will come back in July with the final statement at a press conference and to give it to the new President and our recommendations would be contained in the final report.

    “The elections are so important for the people of Nigeria, but it is an African example for all Africa and countries in the world.

    “You know many people didn’t expect that the elections will be peaceful, they expected a lot of violence after the elections but it turned out not to be true.

    “Also, I congratulate President Jonathan but I would like to congratulate Nigerian people because they showed a lot of commitment to that election.

    “Not in all circumstances would you see such that, people stood in the sun for a very long and hot day, despite some of these problems. It shows that you Nigerians are truly democratic.” he said

    According to him, it would remain the discretion of the Nigerian government to decide what recommendations to adopt or reject from the Mission’s findings about this year’s elections.

    He said: “It is up to Nigerian government to accept or not to accept the recommendations. We are observers and we have made our recommendations and I don’t want to advance the final report that will be finished after the gubernatorial elections.

    “When we can embark on a new ideas with a new President, probably that will be in July, then we will make recommendations public”, he said.

     

  • 20:2020 impossible with reliance on capital sectors, says Carrington

    20:2020 impossible with reliance on capital sectors, says Carrington

    •Lists corruption, insecurity as bane of Nigeria

    Nigeria’s hope of becoming one of the 20 leading economies in 2020 will remain a mirage, if it continues to rely more on capital-intensive sectors of the economy.

    The counctry should instead depend on labour-intensive sectors, the former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, has said.

    The former U.S envoy also canvassed the diversification of the economy to make it less vulnerable to the fluctuations in petroleum prices.

    Carrington spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, when he delivered the 29th convocation lecture of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), titled: On the Dawn of Nigeria’s Second Century: Challenges To a New Generation.

    He said: “Until Nigeria is able to rely less on capital-intensive sectors of the economy and more on intensive ones, it will be difficult to see how it will meet its ambitious goals to make the country one of the world’s 20 important economies.”

    The former envoy noted that successive governments’ relegation of agriculture to the backwaters was responsible for the country beggared economy.

    He attributed Nigeria’s economic woes to what “economists label as ‘Dutch disease,’ where other sectors of the economy are neglected”.

    He added: “The fact that Nigeria’s current yield per hectare is less than 50 per cent of comparable developing countries, dramatically demonstrates how much Nigeria has abandoned its once promising agricultural sector.

    “Even when oil prices were historically high the national unemployment rate, instead of falling rose from 21 per cent in 2010 to 24 per cent in 2011.

    “As the African Development Bank (ADB) Report pointed out, Nigeria’s recent economic growth has been mainly driven by the non-oil sector because of high consumer demand, the cruel irony is that whatever Nigeria and others in Africa might do to improve their economies, their efforts in the short-run could be undone by a renewed global financial crisis.

    “According to the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates, Nigeria has the second largest economy on the sub-continent, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $270 billion, behind South Africa, whose GDP is $375 billion. Thus, Nigeria, the seventh largest country in the world by population, has only the 40th largest economy by GDP.

    “It is overly dependent on oil and gas sector which provides 70 per cent of it federal revenue, but is the source of a much smaller percentage of jobs than agriculture which employs 70 per cent of the country’s labour force. But Nigeria suffers, as do so many other highly endowed extractive natural resource countries, as other sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and manufacturing are relatively ignored.”

    Carrington said the fears of growing insecurity and pervasive corruption were the impediments scaring several Nigerians in the U.S from returning home.

    “I often ask Nigerians who are legally in the U.S why they remain there. The two major impediments to coming back, which they cite, are their fears of the omnipresence of corruption and the grow absence of security. They cringe whenever they hear Nigeria belittled on television comedies because of 419 schemes.

    “Nigeria has the potential to be in fact, the giant of Africa which it has always thought of itself to be. Its agricultural output is already second to none on the continent and 25th in the world. By making it more of a priority Nigeria could become a major player on the world’s commodities market. It must refine at home more of its 37 billion proven barrels of oil which is the world’s sixth largest reserve of crude oil. Its 187 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas is the eighth largest gas deposit in the world. Its flaring must be stopped and the gas harnessed to meet the country’s mounting energy needs,” Carrington added.

    UNILORIN Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, dissected the disillusionment of many a Nigerian about the current state of affairs in the country.

    He said: “If many Nigerians are asked if they are satisfied with the state of their country, they are most likely to respond with a resounding ‘no’. Twenty years ago, Ambassador Carrington said ‘no’ to how Nigeria was and he supported Nigerians in the quest for democracy and restoration of civil rule.

    “By the time the mission was accomplished, there has been a variance between expectations and reality. With the vast potential that Nigeria has, the challenge is for the new generation of Nigerians in various sectors to make the future of Nigeria better that the present. This is more important since at this stage and age of Nigeria, nothing less than progress or development is required.”

  • Walter Carrington and African-Americans

    Walter Carrington and African-Americans

    I think Ambassador Walter Carrington was right when he urged US blacks to trace their roots. This call has become imperative in view of the incontrovertible fact that all blacks are sons and daughters of Africa whether they choose to hide under the nomenclature of African-American. I understand the feelings and reasons though some may not understand.

    It’s a pity that at this age, some African-Americans still live in irredeemable delusion. They try to separate themselves from Africa and even prefer to be called Americans. Most times when we tell them to trace their roots, they say to us that they can’t because of insecurity. Yet they live in a nation where agents of sudden deaths invade schools, home and movie-theatres with automatic guns to kill and destroy. How are these agents of doom different from armed robbers and even kidnappers which sometimes carry out their nefarious trade in Africa?

    If we tell them to trace their roots, they will be quick to submit that Africa is nothing but a garden of injustice. Yet they forget that America would have been the most dangerous jungle in the world if not for the selfless sacrifice of the likes of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Garvey, Jesse Jackson and W.D. Dubois. These men were African-Americans and they laid the solid foundation for justice, equality, peace and progress in America. Some of them even forgot that if not that their forefathers were stolen out of Africa via slavery, they would have been home with us.

    Tell them to trace their roots; they will say Africa is under the spell of corruption. Yet they live in a nation that is home to looted funds from Africa. Most of them even live in rented apartments and work in companies which belong to corrupt African leaders. Yet, they forget that if we must defeat the force of corruption, the ‘West’ must stop being a virgin soil on which looted funds are kept safe and invested.

    Tell them to trace their roots, they will say oh no, development is far from Africa. Yet they forget that America was once imprisoned by under-development. I know, no matter how hard Carrington tries to appeal to them to trace their roots, many will never care to listen him.

    I want to place on record that whether they trace their roots or not, Africa will one day rise above its current challenges. In this month of Black movement, let us remember to always say silent prayers for African-Americans and indeed Africa.

    God bless Africa.

     

    Godfrey Ehi,

    Benin City, Edo State.

     

  • Carrington advocates for women, youth empowerment

    Carrington advocates for women, youth empowerment

    A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington, has urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the implementation of women and youth empowerment policies.

    Carrington, who made the call at a news conference in Lagos on Friday, said that it was imperative for the government to empower women and youth and create opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to national development.

    “Let me observe that Nigeria’s political terrain has for too long been dominated by the male elite.

    “Also, the much exhibited enthusiasm of Nigerian youths is being unduly underrated.

    “Nigerian women should be given equal opportunities with men. It is important that young Nigerians be given mindsets of possibilities, “the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Carrington as saying at the forum.

    He said that Nigeria also needed the support of the media and the civil society to achieve transparency and accountability in governance.

    The former envoy urged Nigerians to demand accountability and transparency from the three tiers of government at all times.

    “You all have got to keep pressing to make sure that every segment of Nigeria feels the dividends of democracy.

    “The various tiers of the Nigerian Governments have to be held accountable for every penny they spend,’’ he said.