Nigerian Ministry of Science and Technology in a recent statement confirmed the expected total eclipse in some parts of the country. The affected areas lie within five states, namely, Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina.

An eclipse occurs in one of two forms. The first, when the moon passes between the earth and the sun so that all or part of the sun cannot be seen for a time. The other, when the earth passes between the moon and the sun so that all or part of the moon cannot be seen. The first case is a solar eclipse or eclipse of the sun, and the second a lunar eclipse or eclipse of the moon.

The duration of a total solar eclipse could be as short as a few seconds or as long as eight minutes. "A partial solar eclipse is interesting; a total solar eclipse is awe-inspiring," Ferdinand Ayim, Special Assistant to Ghanaian Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City was quoted as saying at the inauguration of the country's National Planning Committee to coordinate activities and prepare a program for eclipse.

Professor Turner Isoun of the Ministery of Science and Technology says this year's eclipse calls for early preparation. His statement apparently is for the avoidance of the tragedies of the past, where eclipses in some parts of the country resulted in chaos causing death and destruction of property.

The March 29 total eclipse would be the fifth in Nigeria's history, and it is expected to last for 30 minutes, from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., according to the statement. Nigeria witnessed total eclipses in 1898, 1947, 1959, and 2001.

Masterweb Notes:- 
Pendennis Castle was chosen as a location for observing the eclipse because it lay on the central line of the eclipse and gave an excellent view across the the sea to the west. Attempts to take pictures of the eclipse directly were almost totally defeated due to total cloud cover in the area. Though cloud was heavy over most of Cornwall, people in few locations were able to see the eclipse through breaks in the cloud.

Total Solar Eclipse of August 11th, 1999 observed from Pendennis Castle, SW 824-318 Cornwall, England. The moon is shown in front of the Sun. The first signs of an eclipse commences when the moon begins to move in front of the sun, the partial eclipse increases gradually until total eclipse.