Catholic Bishops to FG Reject Clause In the SAMOA Agreement regarding Sexual Orientation

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has call on the Nigerian authority to reject the clause in the Samoa Agreements that has attracted negative publicity from well meaning Nigerians and orgànisation’s which affect our core values as a people, the CBCN totally kick against this clause and want the government to amend this clauses or pull out from the agreement.
In a statement issued in Abuja recently to the media through the National Director of social Communication’s of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Umoh, The CBCN President, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, said the bishops are concerned about the agreement’s potential threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty and values, “particularly regarding the language used around sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproductive health rights”.
Catholics Bishops of Nigeria, as watchmen and guides, deeply committed to the sound moral, religious, and cultural growth of our dear country, at this moment highlight what the Samoa Document portends for the future of Nigeria and Nigerians and call on our government to, as a matter of urgency, propose an amendment of the Agreement or withdraw from it,” they said.We call on our government to urgently propose amendments or withdraw from the agreement,” the statement reads.
“Notably, article 2.5 of the Samoa agreement promotes gender equality across all policies, while Articles 40.1 and 40.2 of the African Regional Protocol commit Nigeria to gender-responsive education..“Articles 79.1 and 88.4 mandate joint actions and coordinated positions with the EU, potentially weakening Nigeria’s leadership in defending African values.”
The CBCN president said the federal government should insist on a clause in the agreement that would ensure no obligation regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, comprehensive sexuality education, abortion, contraception, legalisation of prostitution, same-sex marriage, or sexual rights for children.“If the EU rejects the proposed amendment, Nigeria should withdraw from the Samoa agreement,” The CBCN said.