Niger has bid goodbye to several historic sites in the capital Niamey which previously bore references to its old colonial master- France, like renaming Avenue Charles de Gaulle to Avenue Djibo Bakary, a key political figure in the Sahel nation's struggle for independence. "From now on, we are going to promote our national interests, enhancing our history and honouring our ancestors," Major Colonel Abdramane Amadou, Minister for Youth and a junta spokesman, told those gathered to witness the event on October 15. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES