The United States Mission in Nigeria announced on its X (formerly Twitter) handle that it will close its operation on Thursday in honour of former President Jimmy Carter.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the 39th President of the United States died on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100.
Carter served a single term from 1977-1981 and was widely praised for his post-presidential humanitarian efforts, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
“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.
“We remember former President Jimmy Carter, a tireless advocate for peace, democracy, and human rights. As the first U.S. President, twitter.com/i/web/status/1,” the mission stated.
Carter’s remains were transferred in a grand and solemn military ceremony to the US Capitol on Tuesday, where they will lie in state until a national funeral later this week.
His body arrived at the snow-covered US Capitol, where it will remain until Thursday, after a full day of ceremonious travel that began in his native Georgia.
A live broadcast showed members of the public move through the building’s rotunda to pay their respects to the late president, with many stopping to take a moment of silence with their hands clasped.
Carter’s flag-draped casket was transported to Washington on a presidential US Air Force jet and was carried on a gun carriage during a funeral procession that went from the US Navy Memorial.
The procession was a tribute to his submarine service to Capitol Hill, following the reverse path of his inauguration parade.