geekyCarter's trip began on March 28 when he went to Caracas, Venezuela for a meeting with President Carlos Andrés Pérez. Carter addressed the Venezuelan Congress and signed a maritime boundary agreement. The next day he went to Brasilia, Brazil. He met with President Ernesto Geisel and addressed Brazil's National Congress.
On March 31 Carter went to Lagos, Nigeria where he remained until April 3, 1978. He met with President Olusegun Obasanjo. On April 1st, Carter began the day by having breakfast his Secretary of State Cyrus R. Vance, Andrew Young, US Representative to the United Nations, US Ambassador to Nigeria Donald B. Easum, and Zbigniew Brzezinski, Assistant for National Security Affairs. Following the breakfast the Carters traveled by motorcade from the State House Marina to the Dodan Barracks. There the President and the First Lady were greeted by Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, B.A.T. Balewa, Chief of Protocol of Nigeria Mrs. F.Y. Emmanuel, and the First Lady's escort in Nigeria. The President, escorted by Lt. Gen. Obasanjo, went to the reviewing stand and then the two of them reviewed the Nigerian troops. They returned to the reviewing stand and the President addressed the crowd gathered for his visit.
Carter told the people of Nigeria that he shared with then a commitment to economic growth and to human development. He told them:
"We share with you a commitment to an Africa that is at peace, free from colonialism, free from racism, free from military interference by outside nations, and free from the inevitable conflicts that can come when the integrity of national boundaries are not respected. We share these things with you as well. These three common commitments shape our attitude toward your continent. You have been among the leaders of international efforts to bring the principles of majority rule and individual rights into reality in southern Africa. During the past year, we've worked closely with your Government and the other frontline states in the quest to achieve these goals in Namibia and in Zimbabwe."
Carter said that these efforts were now at a critical stage. He said that in Namibia, progress had been reached on proposals for an internationally acceptable agreement based on free elections. He said that these proposals provided the best hope for a fair and peaceful solution that to bring independence to Namibia.
Carter said that, in Rhodesia or Zimbabwe, Great Britain and the United States had put forward a plan based on three fundamental principles: first, fair and free elections; secondly, a transition to genuine majority rule and independence; and third, respect for the individual rights of all the citizens of an independent Zimbabwe. He said that this plan was widely supported within the international community and by the Presidents of the nations surrounding Zimbabwe.
Carter said that both those in the United States and the people of Nigeria were committed to the transition of these countries to democratic rule. He said that he also believed that South African society should be transformed progressively and peacefully, with assured respect for the rights of all. He said, "We've made it clear to South Africa that the nature of our relations will depend on whether there is progress towards full participation for all her people, in every respect of the social and economic life of the nation, and an end to discrimination, an end to apartheid, based on race or ethnic origin. We stand firm in that message as well."
Carter told his audience that he had come from a society which struggled to find racial harmony through racial justice. He said that this had taught him that progress could be reached if the determination to see wrongs righted was matched by an understanding that the prisoners of injustice include the privileged as well as the powerless.
Carter said that Americans welcomed the real progress in human rights that was being made in many countries in Africa. He said: "We are encouraged, too, by the movement towards democracy being made by many nations. Nigeria is an outstanding example. The free and fair elections that you held in the past year leave no doubt that your Government is determined to pursue its decision to establish civilian rule in 1979. This action will be an inspiration to all those in the world who love democracy and who love freedom. And we congratulate you on this."
Carter said that the basic elements for democracy and freedom were participation by individuals in the decisions that affect their lives, respect for civil liberties through the rule of law, and protection of the dignity of all men and women. He said, "Wherever these fundamental principles exist, a government can accommodate to necessary change without breaking, and its people can demand such change without being broken. These principles are necessary for democracy, and they sustain development as well. For in a democracy, the people themselves can best ensure that their government will promote their economic rights, as well as their political and civil liberties."
Carter told his audience that he believed that every person also has a right to education, to health care, to nutrition, to shelter, to food, and to employment. He said, "These are the foundations on which men and women can build better lives." He said that Americans were "ready to do its fair share in support of African development, both because it's in our own interest and also because it's right."
Carter commented on the relationship between the United States and Nigeria, noting that Nigeria was the United States' second largest supplier of imported crude oil and the U.S. was the largest market for Nigeria's petroleum. He said that it was important for Americans to share technology with Nigerians because it was mutually beneficial economically. He pledged to recommend to the Congress that the United States contribute $125 million to the second replenishment of the African Development Fund. He also said that he had authorized the Corps of Engineers to offer to participate in the comprehensive development of the Niger River System.
Carter said:
"Every government has the obligation to promote economic justice within its own nation, as well as among nations. American development assistance will go increasingly to those areas where it can make the greatest contribution to the economic rights of the poor. Progress towards economic development requires the pursuit of our third goal as well—again which we share with you—a peaceful Africa, free of military intervention, for economic progress is best pursued in times of peace. Africans themselves can best find peaceful answers to African disputes through the Organization of African Unity and, when needed, with the help of the United Nations."
Carter expressed concern that foreign troops were already planning for military action inside Ethiopia against the Eritreans. He called Nigeria "a great and influential nation, a regional and an international leader." He called on them to take the lead in shaping the destiny of their people.
Carter's visit concluded on April 3, 1978 in Monrovia, Liberia for a meeting with President William R. Tolbert, Jr. What Carter was doing in visiting Nigeria and Liberia was attempting to insinuate the influence of the United States in Africa in order to prevent the spread of communist influence among African nations.
Carter's interest in the region continues to this day. The Carter Center was invited to observe elections called for February 1999. It continues to be involved in administering health programs, and counseling in the area of food production.
Following is a YouTube video of a portion of Carter's visit to Lagos: