The report that the federal government approved a National Schools Competition, and a debate for secondary schools in the country tagged “Same Sex Marriage Should Be Legalised in Nigeria,” has drawn its reaction.
A letter circulating online and reportedly sent to State Commissioners of education by the federal ministry of education has as its content report that the said event has government’s backing.
It in turn generated backlash against the rumoured pro-LGBTQ programme on social media.
Now, the Permanent Secretary of the education ministry, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, has denied the letter emanated from the ministry.
Sani-Gwarzo’s denial followed an enquiry by the Commissioner of Education, Science and Tech of Kogi State to verify the letter.
“It has come to the attention of the Federal Ministry of Education that a letter allegedly from the Federal Ministry Education (FME) has been circulated to state commissioners of education inviting schools to participate in a national schools competition and debate organised by Creative Africa Initiative that proposes the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Nigeria.
“This document is fraudulent and fake, as it didn’t emanate from the FME. It also contradicts both the values upheld by Nigerians and the stance of the Nigerian government and the FME.
“The Nigerian government has consistently maintained a strong stance against the legalisation of same-sex marriage, as evidenced by the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2014. The purported letter is fundamentally at odds with the cultural, religious, and societal values that form the foundation of Nigerian society,” the Permanent Secretary reply read.
