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A statement signed by his wife, Arese, read: “It is with a heavy and broken heart but with gratitude to God for his life of selfless humanity that I announce the passing of my beloved husband, Walter Carrington, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Senegal.
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“He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 90 years old on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. Further announcements will be made shortly.”
Nicknamed ‘Omowale’ for his support for pro-democracy activists during the dark years of the late General Sani Abacha military administration, he was well admired by the Nigerian political and civil society actors.
The late diplomat was born on July 24, 1930 in New York City to Marjorie Irene Hayes and Walter R. Carrington, an immigrant from Barbados.
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Raised in a predominately Italian-Irish community, Carrington attended Hancock School and Hale School in Everett, Massachusetts. He was elected vice president of his class throughout his four years at the predominantly white Parlin Junior High and Everett High School.
Graduating in 1948, Carrington became one of four black students at Harvard University where he founded the first Harvard chapter of the NAACP.
Attending the NAACP National Convention in 1950, Carrington met Clarence Mitchell and Thurgood Marshall. In 1952, Carrington was elected the NAACP Youth Council delegate to Senegal, French West Africa.
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