Partial Solar Eclipse: Abuja Residents Express Disappointment

Abuja residents have expressed disappointment at their inability to observe the much awaited partial solar eclipse predicted to occur yesterday afternoon across the nation by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
The director-general of the agency, Prof. Seidu Mohammed, had earlier last week predicted that the nation will witness a partial solar eclipse yesterday, November 3, 2013, just as he urged calm as the eclipse will not hinder normal activities.
Nigerians who were expectantly waiting to observe the partial eclipse were however disappointed at the inability to spot the occurrence.
An Abuja resident, Mrs Nnennaya Ebi, said it was a natural event most Nigerians will have loved to be part of.
She said, “I don’t know if the eclipse happened. Its way past the time they predicted for the eclipse to occur but I am yet to notice any changes in the weather.”
An Enugu resident, Mr Ikenna Ogwo, in a telephone chat with LEADERSHIP, also said there was no visible change during the period that was predicted for the occurrence.
Ogwo said, “I am still waiting for the eclipse to occur. I assume Nigerians should be able to notice a change in the weather when it occurs and I am yet to see that.”
Meanwhile, the head of media and corporate communications, NASRDA, Mr Felix Ale, said the eclipse occurred.
Ale said, “The eclipse started exactly by 1.03pm as predicted by the agency. If you are observant you would have noticed a slight change in the weather as if it was going to rain. I’m sure people were anticipating to see a total darkness but it was only a partial eclipse like we predicted.”
LEADERSHIP gathered that over 500 students from various public and private schools across the country observed the partial eclipse with other Nigerians at the space centre yesterday.
Meanwhile, Lagos residents trooped out en masse to observe the natural astronomical event.
LEADERSHIP observed that many residents stood outside their compound and brought out their camera phones and cameras to snap the partial eclipse.
The excitement in many parts of Lagos ignited by the sighting of the partial eclipse of the sun was more profound at the Ikeja City Mall where many shoppers who had gone to shop at the popular Shoprite trooped out of the mega retail outlet to watch nature in action.
Many of the shoppers seen outside the mall taking pictures of the eclipse said they will also record it in their dairies to remember the event.
 The partial eclipse was sighted in Lagos at exactly 2:43pm and lasted till 2: 52pm yesterday.
 People who expressed excitement at the occurrence told our correspondent that it formed part of their fun for the weekend, while those that were watching with sun glasses told their colleagues that were watching without sun glasses that it could be dangerous.
Eugene Agwu, a septuagenarian told LEADERSHIP,” It is always fun to watch eclipse of the sun . What happened today is historic. It does not happen every time. It is symbolic. But is dangerous watching with bare eyes because of the rays constantly flashed by the eclipse. It can cause ‘Apolo’.”
It will be recalled that the timing of the event across some major cities in the country have been predicted by Professor Felix Okpara .
He said it will begin in Lagos by 12.50pm with maximum level taking place by 2.40 PM and end by 4.01p.m.
According to the professor, in Abuja, the eclipse will begin by 1:03 p.m. it will be at its maximum by 2.40 PM and it will end by 4.03 p m in the evening, while was predicted to start in Ibadan by 12.52 PM, among other cities.

- Leadership

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