Why Nigeria can’t afford another civil war – El-Rufai

Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai has explained why Nigeria cannot afford a repeat of the 1967 civil war, which claimed almost two million lives.

El-Rufai said the civil war was needless savagery that the country could not afford to repeat.

The governor stated this at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course organized for the 2022 Batch B (Stream 2) corps members posted to Kaduna State on Tuesday.

He also charged the corps members who would be participating in the 2023 general elections to avoid being used as a conduit pipe to rig the elections.

El-Rufai, represented by the state acting Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe.

He said, “The youth must remember that the NYSC came into being after the civil war that tore every fabric of the Nigerian state. The war was a needless savagery that we cannot afford to repeat.

“Nigerian youths must therefore distance themselves from fanning the embers of violence and war in Nigeria. As a country, we must avoid a repeat of that dark part of our history. And Nigerian youths must refuse to be ready tools for war mongers.

“My dear valuable corps members, I believe you have the capacity to defend what is good for our dear country and what shall build a united Nigeria and you shall not fail to do what is right for your dear country. After all, the major objective of establishing the NYSC is to promote Nigeria’s unity and enhance development.

“The national youth service is a reflection of the hope that we have placed on our young graduates as touch bearers of a greater Nigeria. You must proof to is that this is not a misplaced hope. We expect you to be innovative, industrious and consistently demonstrate acts of tolerance, open mindedness and perseverance in all that you do.”