Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has said Nigeria’s backwardness is worrisome.

He said the loss of sense of history by the present generation, which denied the people the knowledge that Nigeria, as a country, once worked effectively, was the reason for his constant weeping.

In a statement on Tuesday, el-Rufai spoke in Lagos during the ‘Book signing ceremony,’ of his latest work, The Accidental Public Servant.

He said, “Seventy-five per cent of the present population of the country is within 35 years bracket. They never knew that this country once worked efficiently and effectively.”

He said Nigerians that are up to 50 years old witnessed some times when Nigeria worked.

He said those were the periods when Nigerians would write letters to government departments and get reply; when they applied for scholarships without knowing anybody and same were granted on merit.

El-Rufai said, “The tragedy of this nation was that those who attained political, economic and social greatness today attained it from the ruins of the country.

“The youth can make the country work again. To do that, they must embrace the ingredients of dedication, commitment and honesty.”

In his welcome address, the host and the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, commended el-Rufai for writing the book, saying it was an eye-opener.

“I praise el-Rufai for seeing all and exposing all with a view for other people to learn from the actions or/and inactions of those in public offices,” Bakare, who is the Presiding Overseer, Latter Rain Assembly, said.