US embassy in Nigeria to close operations to honor Late President Jimmy Carter

The United States Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will suspend operations on Thursday, January 9, to honor former President Jimmy Carter.

This is in a poignant gesture reflecting the legacy of a man who championed peace and humanity.

The announcement, made via the mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, paid tribute to Carter’s enduring contributions. “We remember former President Jimmy Carter, a tireless advocate for peace, democracy, and human rights. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Thursday, January 9, in honour of former President Carter’s passing,” the statement read.

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Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, was a leader whose impact extended far beyond his four years in office (1977–1981). While his presidency was defined by significant milestones, including the Camp David Accords, Carter’s post-presidential life cemented his place in history. Through his humanitarian work with The Carter Center, he tackled issues such as disease eradication, poverty alleviation, and election monitoring, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

In the United States, the tributes have been equally profound. On Tuesday, Carter’s body was transported to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in a solemn military procession. Draped in the American flag, the late president’s casket traveled from his home state of Georgia, where he began the final journey of his remarkable life.

The Capitol Rotunda, steeped in history, now serves as a temporary resting place for the late statesman. Against a backdrop of snow-covered Washington streets, members of the public and dignitaries alike filed through the hallowed halls to pay their respects. Many paused for moments of silence, hands clasped, visibly moved by the presence of a leader whose values transcended generations.

In a nod to his military service aboard U.S. Navy submarines, Carter’s casket was carried on a gun carriage from the U.S. Navy Memorial to Capitol Hill. The funeral procession retraced the path of his inaugural parade, evoking memories of a president who once walked those very streets with optimism and a vision for a better world.

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