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Homosexuality And The Registration Of The Nigerian Humanist Movement By Okachikwu Dibia
Since about a decade now, Nigeria has been battling with how to effect a decent management of the social issue of human right for sex especially man-to-man or woman-to-woman sexual relationship. It includes homosexuals, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and President Barack Obama of the USA has added transgender persons. In 2006 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the issue of same sex marriage or homosexuality came up but was not resolved. It is here again and the Nigerian Senate has passed a bill banning homosexuality in Nigeria and waiting for the House of Representatives to agree to it so that the bill can be sent to the President for his assent. In a desperate response, the British Prime Minister and President Obama have rejected Nigeria’s position on the issue. Let us also recall that this problem had led to other allied issues like dress code in higher institutions, legalization of abortion, reproductive health education, excess attention to HIV/AIDS, lesbian and gay cult groups etc.
Meanwhile, a human rights group in Nigeria led by one Leo Igwe had applied to register his Nigerian Humanist Movement with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the CAC had been accused by Leo of refusing to register the group (see his letter published in The Guardian, September 12, 2011 page 14). Given Leo Igwe’s “ideas and antecedents”, which can be richly found in his article titled “The same sex marriage bill”, published in The Guardian of March 1, 2006 page 65, the proposed movement surely will be strongly advocating for the legalization of homosexuality in Nigeria. To such a human rights group, all shades of sex mannerisms especially homosexuality, must be allowed in Nigeria not minding local feelings and sentiments about them. Thus Leo wants to register a humanist movement to propagate that evil in Nigeria. As an Ikwerre from Nigeria, my opinion on homosexuality, same sex marriage, gay and lesbianism are evil, un-natural, un-African, immoral and indeed not human rights and therefore, the group should not be registered. My opinion was contained in my latter to the editor published in The Guardian of September 22, 2011 on page 14. In response to my letter, Ade Bokini and Josh Kutchinsky wrote (see The Guardian, September 28, 2011 page 14 and October 3, 2011 page 18 respectively) objecting to my opinion. My own precious Edwin Madunagu was more furious against my opinion (see Edwin’s article series titled “Humanism and its enemies” in The Guardian of 13th, 20th and 27th October 2011). In these series, he intellectually converted my opinion into treason and angrily angled for my crucifixion. This shows how dialectically undemocratic some of our intellectuals are.
Why do I think that Leo Igwe’s humanist group will support homosexuality, same sex marriage, gay and lesbianism? In my letter, which formed the basis for Edwin’s attacks on me, I did state that I object to the registration of the Nigerian Humanist Movement promoted by Leo Igwe due to his “ideas and antecedents” which include his strong advocacy for a Nigerian society where homosexuality, gay and lesbianism should be allowed to reign. Forming a humanist group “to promote human rights, and to promote reason, science and free thought” basically includes these free-for-all indecent sexual bahaviours (his opinion in the said article of March 1, 2006 attests to this conclusion). One of his supporters, Ade Bokini from London, wrote in his own letter referred to above, that “our constitution guarantees… freedom to hold onto whatever belief one fancies”. Yes, one could come about an idea or belief, but if that idea or belief is immoral when compared with the accepted laws, conventions, customs, norms, ethics and behaviours of the society, it should be fundamentally discouraged. In any case, is it decent or of any dignity for one to hold onto whatever belief one fancies? If so why did France ban Muslim women from wearing clothes that cover all parts of their body especially their faces?
Another of Leo’s supporters, Josh Kutchinsky from France, wrote in his own letter noted above that “Leo has never, to the best of my knowledge, in anything he has written or done promoted lesbianism, gayism…” This is not true because Leo strongly supports homosexuality, lesbianism and gayism. This is clear in Leo’s article aforementioned. It was on the basis of this article that I was able to know Leo’s “ideas and antecedents” on human rights for sex.
Based on my opinion that the humanist group being promoted by Leo Igwe should not be registered, Edwin wants me to be charged for treason and that I am an enemy of humanity. Haba Edwin! How can a person who is against homosexuality in Nigeria be an enemy of humanity? Homosexuality or avoidance of it, which despoils society? It is homosexuality and its advocates that are the true enemies of humanity or humanism, not some of us who support that humanity must preserve certain aspects of its existence that are natural and generally accepted in society. Human rights people and NGOs must not always succeed in forcing us through indoctrination to accept what is immoral. Homosexuality is not an animal right, talk of it being a human right. Even if the rest of the world accepts it, Nigeria has a right to reject it.
My opinion remains that his movement for homosexuality, limitless human right and reasoning should not be registered as a corporate entity in Nigeria. I did not say so based on “religious or pseudo-religious prejudice, sexist prejudice, patriarchal prejudice and pre-science prejudice” as claimed by Edwin Madunagu on the last part of his angry article. Rather it was based on Leo’s opinion about homosexuality. Therefore, all those Edwin grammer no enter!
Indeed as Africans, we need to check some of these NGOs who desperately, without decent and positive reasons except for the mere sake of change, right and choice, advocate behaviours that are not congruent with the positive cultures and values of Africa. They are the true enemies of our humanity and should be told that homosexuality practice is not allowed in Africa and that the “freedom to undress” should be mainly restricted to the bedroom, not in the public. As Africans and indeed Nigerians, we also have the right not to have homosexuality in our midst. Advocating for this immorality must not be allowed because we may not be able to handle its stretch and consequences. In Nigeria where the law is very weak to guarantee equity in dealing with civil and criminal issues, advocating for more immorality and corrupting values will quickly destroy Nigeria.
I have a right to reject and argue against the evil called homosexuality in Nigeria. All nations of the earth must not be homosexuals to be able to think reasonably, scientifically and decently towards progressive social, economic and political development of humanity. |