The former United States ambassador to
Nigeria, Walter Carrington has identified
corruption, lack of good leadership and
foresight as responsible for most of the
economic problems confronting the country
and called for determination to effect
changes through election of good leaders.
The diplomat while delivering the 29th
convocation lecture of University of Ilorin
also called for diversification from the oil as
major source of revenue to improvement of
agricultural sector through revitalizing of manufacturing sector.
The convocation, held at the auditorium of the university, was filled with students, academics and
members of the public.
The lecture, titled ‘The Dawn Of Nigeria’s Second Century; Challenges To A New Generation’ was
delivered by Mr. Carrington.
After tracing the history of the amalgamation of the country with the high hopes of Nigerians after
independence, Carrington threw a question wondering where and how the country got it wrong
with the collapse of nearly all the sectors few years after independence.
He noted that persistent poverty retarded the growth of the country and blamed successive
country leaders for lack of foresight and corruption as responsible for the decline growth of the
giant of Africa.
He also recommended constant change of bad leadership through democratic means and the need
to focus less on proceeds from oil and diversify to improvement of agricultural sector in the
next century to be respected among comity of nations.
He later paid a courtesy call on the Kwara state governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed where the governor
enumerated various challenges facing the country since independence but assured of the resolve
to always be together as one country despite the challenges.
With the challenges thrown by the former ambassador on how to revamp the economy and make
life meaningful for ordinary Nigerians, it is hoped that the country’s leaders will hearken to the call
and do the right thing for the country to move forward.
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