THE bill against the practice of same- sex conjugal relationship is probably not the most urgent issue requiring the attention of our federal lawmakers. But by passing the bill and thereby outlawing same-sex relationships, the Senate only endorsed the largely pervasive resentment of Nigerians to a matter that is abhorrent to our nature and culture.The bill provides for a 14-year jail term for anyone entering into same-sex marriage or civil union. It also stipulates a 10-year jail term for any person who directly or indirectly makes a public show of same-sex amorous relationships. Those persons, clubs, societies or organisations and all those who register, aid and abet such unions, would be liable on conviction to 10 years imprisonment. The bill further specifies that where same-sex marriages or unions had been contracted abroad, such contracts will not be recognised in Nigeria.To become law, the bill will have to be endorsed by the House of Representatives before going to the President for assent.Not unexpectedly, the Senate's action has set off outcry especially from abroad. The critics claim that Nigeria's stance will put a wide body of persons at risk, and allegedly bridges human rights. But as the Senate President, David Mark has pointed out, what is at stake is our values - the values of the vast majority of Africans.The issue of same sex marriage, already unpopular in most African countries,could have been allowed to continue its furtive journey but for the condescending speech of British Prime Minister David Cameron who chose, of all places and without provocation, the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Australia, to lecture Africans on the beauty of same sex marriage, and additionally to warn them, like erring school children, that such a stance could cost them aid from Britain.By making this statement, Cameron has shown an astonishing ignorance of African sensibilities surrounding this subject. He has thus inflamed dormant passions. For the African whose culture is a continuum between the ancestors, the living and the unborn, anything that threatens to sever that umbilical cord of his being is anathema. Sexuality in Africa is not seen as a private matter, it is an event that concerns the entire community, thereby giving it meaning.Nigeria is dominated by two great religions - Christianity and Islam.Both religions condemn homosexuality and same-sex marriage as an aberration. The African did not become anti-gay because of his religion; he was anti-gay before the arrival of those religions.In fact, many African languages do not have a name for same-sex relationships. Today, it is safe to say that most African governments frown at homosexuality and impose forms of punishments for its practitioners.Ghana has rejected British foreign aid if predicated on the tolerance of homosexuality.The Tanzanians have said much the same thing.Zimbabwe's position on homosexuality is famously known.Now Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is saying the same thing. Even in South Africa with a so-called liberal constitution, cohabitation with gays has proved problematic with 'corrective rapes' now taking place there.Same-sex marriage is thriving in western societies and all those voices proclaiming that marriage is a union between a man and a woman are being hectored and ridiculed by a vocal minority into acquiescence. The Anglican Communion headed by the Queen of England has fractured on the issue of homosexuality.Many in the United States of America are opposed to homosexuality, so is the church in Latin America and Asia. Surely, David Cameron must be aware of these great world movements. He should have moderated his language accordingly.The Nigerian Senate is not your best-loved Senate, given the members' indefensibly high emoluments and less than sterling performance; but in passing the anti-gay bill, it has enjoyed widespread support and improved its standing in the eyes of Nigerians.Questions may remain as to the urgency of the bill, and also its effectiveness in seeking to resolve an issue by outlawing it. Such debates will certainly continue as has been going on in other parts of the world. But this country does not meddle into how other countries make their laws.Similarly, Nigerians should not be pilloried into conforming to other people's agenda for whatever reason.
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