Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Ambassador of United States of America (USA) to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, on Monday, said the government and people of his country will continue to believe in both human and material endowments God gave Nigeria despite the various socio-economic challenges confronting the country.

The Ambassador who said this in his speech at the 2018 Earth Day ceremony held at University of Ibadan, however urged Nigerians to work for things that will make the country more "united and more secured in 2019" rather than things that will divide the country before the 2019 elections.

He maintained that his country still believed in the potentials of the county, noting that Nigerians must believe in themselves by doing things that will lead to a rancour free election year in 2019 from 2018.

Symington who said he had toured the all parts of the country, stated that he is surprised that the county is endowed with many untapped potentials waiting to be utilised.

He then charged Nigerians to begin in earnest, the process of utilising the resources for the development of the nation and her people without waiting for anyone else to do it for them.

On the 2019 elections, Symington urged Nigerians not to entertain any fear but prepare themselves for peace and work in harmony for sustainable development, insisting that the process to attain free and fair elections starts from 2018.

He said: "We still believe in Nigeria, I believe in Nigeria. You see life is all about win, win, win and win. This county is amazing. How many of you have been to Yankari game in Bauchi? It is one of the best game reserves in the world.

"What I want is that, what all Nigerians must do is to use the rest of this year, 2018 to think of what will happen in 2019, use the rest of the year to make Nigeria more united and more secured. Any one with idea that we can discuss to move the country forward should come to us and we are ready to support you. In 2018, think about 2019."

Present at the ceremony include Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Mr Idowu Olayinka, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Administration), Mr Emilolorun Aiyelari.