The sun is going away, but don't panic...
Fri Mar 10, 9:36 AM ET
ABUJA (Reuters) - The Nigerian government, anxious to avoid a repeat of
riots that marked a solar eclipse in 2001, warned citizens they may
suffer "psychological discomfort" during a new eclipse this month but
urged them not to panic.
Information Minister Frank Nweke said an eclipse five years ago caused
riots in northern Borno state because people did not know why it
happened.
"Some people even felt some evil people in their communities were
responsible for the eclipse," he said in a statement on Thursday aimed at
reassuring Nigerians that the eclipse is expected to darken parts of the
country on March 29.
"The eclipse is not expected to have any real damaging effect, only
social and psychological discomforts are envisaged," Nweke said.
He did not explain what the discomforts might be.
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