Primary school pupils who showed up at the Ribadu Square, Yola, on Monday for the usual festivities on Children?s Day, were disappointed and wept openly when they were told to go home, as the event had been cancelled.
The cancellation was announced by the Ministry for Women Affairs, citing the current state of emergency imposed on the state for the decision.
Hundreds of pupils had besieged the square in anticipation of the celebration only to be told to go home, making some of them to break down in tears while others asked whether the event had been shifted to another venue.
A lot of the children were unstable to understand the meaning of state of emergency and why it should affect their celebration.
Pupils from Nasarawa and Yelwa primary schools who could not bear the reality conducted a mock march pass before departing the parade ground.
Some of the parents who brought their wards to the square complained that the cancellation was not given publicity and criticised the government for the action.
“Why should they cancel this children celebration? You can see the children are sad on a day they are supposed to be happy.
“The state of emergency did not seriously affect normal activities in Yola, particularly from 6 a.m to 6 p.m.
“So I wonder why they cancel a children event that is supposed to take place from 10 a.m to 12 p.m,?, Malam Abdu Musa, a parent said.
