FORMER Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said the insecurity in the country, especially in the north, occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram, was taking a serious toll on the economy of that part of the country and warned those behind the killings to put a stop to it.
Abubakar lamented that the carnage and senseless killings in the north have not only killed nightlife in the region but has negatively affected both its economy and the image of the country. Abubakar said this in Minna Tuesday during the inauguration of the Niger State-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, endowment fund, which he chairs.
He reminded those behind the incessant bombings in the country that they should think twice because "we have no other country than Nigeria, so we should not destroy it for whatever reason."
He added: "The bombings, which have claimed many lives, will do the country no good. In fact it has destroyed both the nightlife and economy of the north. People who have grievances against the government should come out to discuss their grievances and settle for peace."
Commenting on the assignment of the fund, Abubakar observed that there were nine projects yet to be completed in the university, among them the Senate Building, central water works, lecture theatres and lecture rooms, as well as the Vice Chancellor's lodge.
He assured the state government that as the chairman, he would ensure that the fund's board of trustees did everything possible to source for funds to reposition the university and bring it among the best in the country. He added: "Those of us who enjoyed free education in the past, it is our time to pay back by serving in any capacity towards repositioning education in the country."
He asked the Niger State Government to set the ball rolling by contributing to the fund, just as he used the occasion to pay glowing tributes to the late governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, who died in a helicopter crash last weekend.
Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu said the endowment fund aims at service to humanity and quality education. He donated N150 million on behalf of the state government and assured of regular funding of the institution for it to achieve academic excellence.
