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The sun is going away, but don't panic...
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-12 11:13
ABUJA - 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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