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Moments ago, BlackBox Nigeria reported the death of iconic former US president, Jimmy Carter who died peacefully in his home at the age of 99.
However, unknown to many; particularly young Nigerians, the late Nobel Peace Prize winner had a healthy relationship with Africa’s most populous nation.
BlackBox Nigeria brings you 10 quick facts about Jimmy Carter’s association with Nigeria.
1. In 1978, Jimmy Carter became the first ever American president to visit Nigeria. He was in Lagos (the then capital) between March 31 and April 3, 1978.
2. His Nigerian visit in 1978 also made him the first US president to go on a state visit in sub-Saharan Africa.
3. While in Nigeria, he met with General Olusegun Obasanjo, then military head of state and disclosed his interest in ensuring peace in Africa particularly South Africa and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He also encouraged Obasanjo on his plan to return the country to a democracy.
4. Prior to his visit, he had hosted General Obasanjo in the White House months earlier. Obasanjo visited the US on a working visit in October 1977.
5. Again, in October 1980, President Jimmy Carter played host to Nigeria’s first democratically elected president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari in the White House.
6. Always concerned about the happenstances in Nigeria, Jimmy Carter in 1995 wrote to the country’s dictatorial leader, General Sanni Abacha expressing his “profound dismay and shock” over the execution of activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other members of the Ogoni 9.
7. In February 1999, Jimmy Carter returned to Nigeria to observe the election which was to usher in the country’s return to democracy. This time around, he was operating under the umbrella of The Carter Center.
8. While in Nigeria for the elections, Jimmy Carter visited the troubled Niger Delta region and met with leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council amongst other groups after which he advised the Nigerian government to take precautions to avert a possible confrontation. While the government ignored his advice, the region later became a near war zone over resource control and allegation of marginalisation.
9. Under The Carter Center, Jimmy Carter has continued to work with Nigeria for over three decades in fighting guinea worm disease, trachoma, blindness, and malaria amongst others.
10. Between 1993 and 2011, The Carter Center also worked with Nigeria in areas of increasing food production. The Center facilitated credit facilities to farmers to purchase fertilisers and enhanced seeds.
