Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, on Friday, said the numerous calls to restructure Nigeria, increased regional autonomy, and secession would not serve citizens’ urgent needs.

Mr Amaechi also said the calls would also not meet the long-term desire of Nigerians for a better life in a happier nation, averring that only unity of purpose could guarantee shared prosperity for Nigerians

Mr Ameachi, who was speaking at the 34th convocation lecture of the University of Calabar in Cross River State, said the concerns raised by Nigerians on the country’s future were legitimate and showed a “great patriotism and love”.

Mr Ameachi, a former Rivers State governor, also noted that it was wrong for citizens to blame President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for the rising poverty rate in the country as the problem preceded the current administration.

A statement from the minister’s media office said, “We all treasure this country and are anxious that it transforms into a better place for all of us. This overwhelming wish for a better Nigeria far outweighs the doomsday predictions of a few pessimists”.

He reiterated that the current poverty bedeviling the country is caused by the past administration.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that the desperate poverty that we have today has its roots in dispensations that came before the Buhari administration.

“Specifically, our epidemic of mass poverty dates back to the return of civil rule in our country. It is unfair to heap the responsibility for the prevalence of poverty and inequality on this or anyone administration in the history of the country”, APC chieftain said.