Young people are Nigeria’s most prized resources, not oil – US ambassador

US ambassador to Nigeria, William Symington, said over the weekend that the youth are Nigeria’s most valuable resource, not crude oil.

Symington made the remark on Sunday, while speaking to students of Adekunle Anglican Primary School, Makoko, a suburb in Lagos.

He said, “If you have oil and you don’t have people, you have nothing. The most important resources of Nigeria are her youths. The reason the world cares about Nigeria is because of the youths of the country.”

Symington also encouraged the youths to keep getting knowledge as he believed they have the qualities to aspire for greatness and contribute to the development of the country.

“You are not just learning for yourself; you are learning for all of us. One of you will discover a cure for a disease. Another person will find a way to encourage farmers and herders to live in peace,” he said.

“One of you will take a picture and that picture would be worth more than a million words. Some of you will become great authors and you will take people to places where they have never been.”