TheCable

The house of representatives has asked the federal government, state and local governments to ban Queen Primer, a textbook used in primary schools.

The green chamber passed the resolution at plenary on Thursday after the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sulaiman Gumi, a lawmaker from Zamfara state.

Gumi said the textbook “subtly introduces the terms — ‘gay’, ‘eros’ — that communise sexual perversion and immoral behaviours”.

He said the textbook exposes children to terms inappropriate for their age.

The lawmaker described it as “unlawful, unethical, highly immoral and antithetical to child upbringing”.

The house asked the federal government to place a “total ban on the local production, importation and use of any educational material” that contains words that teach or promote “lesbianism, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)” in schools across the country.

The house also asked the ministry of education, Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council, and the Education Research Council (ERC) to “carefully vet and censor” the contents of educational materials used in nursery and primary schools in the country and ensure that they are “appropriate and devoid of any connotation of pervasive culture”.

‘ALIEN NORMS’ 

While moving the motion, Gumi said there is an “influx” of foreign educational materials that promote and teach “certain morals” that are “alien and inimical” to the nation’s norms and values.

He said there’s a need to “instil and protect” moral values in children and society by resisting behaviour which violates the country’s laws.

The nation’s anti-gay law prohibits gay relationships and same-sex marriage. Persons convicted face up to 14 years in jail.

It is also prohibited to have a meeting of homosexuals, or to operate or attend a gay club, society or organisation. Public show of same-sex intimate affection is also outlawed and offenders may be jailed for up to 10 years.