From Agaju Madugba, Katsina

President Muhammadu Buhari vowed, yesterday, in his home state of Katsina, to use all resources at his disposal to crush any agitation for the division of Nigeria.

The president said the country fought a civil war which claimed over two million lives in order to be united.

Buhari, who spoke at the palace of Emir of Katsina also urged Nigerians to be patient with his government as, according to him, the current hardship being experienced, may not be unconnected with efforts at laying a solid foundation for sustainable nation building.

Buhari was in Katsina to attend the state’s economic and investment forum which he will officially declare open this morning.

In a veiled reference to the current separatist agitation for Biafra being promoted by a group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Buhari warned it would be better for the entire country to commit mass suicide than to allow such campaign succeed.

He referred to the promoters of the agitation as “kids” who were not born during the civil war.  According to Buhari, “today, Nigeria is a strong and united sovereign entity because some people laid down their lives for the country.

At least two million people died during the civil war but, today, some people who were not born during the civil war are agitating for the division of the country. We will not let that happen.

“For Nigeria to divide now, it is better for all of us to jump into the sea and get drowned.”

Speaking on the economy, Buhari regretted the fall of crude oil price in the international market and further noted that, at the inception of his administration on May 29, 2015, the price per barrel of oil crashed to as low as $30, contrary to what was obtainable during the 16 years of the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.

“We will not betray the trust Nigerians reposed in us and we will ensure officials of government also act in the national interest,” the President said.

In his remarks, the Emir, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir Usman, urged the Federal Government to re-introduce boarding schools as well as teacher training colleges as part of efforts at producing quality teachers.

According to him, “teacher training colleges helped to groom quality teachers but these days, half-baked teachers teach in our schools.

“Also, in those days, boarding schools helped to maintain discipline among students and mould them into responsible adults.