Children, Democracy Days: Niger bans celebrations

By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Niger state government has stopped the usual march past and other activities associated with celebrations marking Children’s Day and Democracy Day, this year.
Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu gave the directive yesterday in Minna, saying that it was a mark of respect for the abducted Chibok school girls “and because of the security situation in the country.”

The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Ndayebo, told newsmen that the traditional march past to mark the Democracy Day in the state had also been put off.
He said: “The day will be strictly for prayers and fasting as a result of the Chibok girls and the security challenges in the country”, he said adding that the Ministry of Gender Affairs had been directed to organise school children across all the local government areas of the state to pray for the release of the Chibok girls.”