Chibok Girls: Niger Cancels Children’s Day, Democracy Day Celebrations

Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has said that the 2014 Children’s and Democracy Day celebrations will not be celebrated with the usual pomp and ceremony as a mark of respect to those affected by security challenges currently confronting the nation.
The Commissioner of Information, Communications and Strategy in the state, Danladi Ndayebo told reporters in Minna on Thursday that Children’s Day and Democracy Day celebrations would be marked in the state with prayers for the nation.
According to him, “owing to the security situation in the country, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has directed that this year’s Children’s Day and Democracy Day be used to seek God’s face and intervention for the nation.”
Ndayebo said the Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development will on Children’s Day mobilize children from across the state to pray for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State.
He said on Children’s Day, children, both Muslims and Christians will pray for Nigeria. They will pray for the safe return of their colleagues who were abducted from school on April 14th, 2014 and on the 29th of May, we will pray to God to bring an end to terrorism and to restore peace in the troubled North East region and Nigeria at large.
He urged all stakeholders to remain steadfast in prayers for an end to the senseless killing of Nigerians.
The commissioner said the PDP led government in the state was doing its best to maintain peace which is a necessary condition for development.
He urged people living in the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies, stressing that security for all is the responsibility of all.