Niger State will not celebrate the 2014 Children’s and Democracy Day with the usual pomp and ceremony as a mark of respect to those affected by security challenges currently confronting the nation.
According to Niger State Commissioner of Information, Communications and Strategy, Danladi Ndayebo, who was speaking with journalists in Minna, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has ordered that the celebrations should rather be commemorated with prayers for the nation.
“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 mobilise children from across the state to pray for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State.”
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He added that 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 14, 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 northeast and Nigeria at large,” he said, urging 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 perquisite for development.
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He, therefore, implored residents and citizens of the state to be vigilant and to report any suspicious movement to security agencies, stressing that “security for all is the responsibility of all.”
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