From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives, yesterday, urged the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to direct Internet Service Providers (ISPs), in the country, to block all websites hosting obscene
and pornographic contents.
The House, which mandated its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance, to ensure compliance with the resolution, also urged the NCC to sanction ISPs that fail to comply with the directive.
The joint committee is expected to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Dalhatu Tafoki, on “need to block internet websites hosting pornographic contents and sanction defaulting ISPs.”
Tafoki, in his motion, stated that while cyber pornography is fast becoming a global challenge, there have not been concrete steps to address it in the country.
He explained that apart from the fact that all religions in the country frown at nudity and obscenity in any form, renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have equally warned of viewing pornographic contents.
“Nigeria is a highly religious country and all the major religions in the country have
forbidden nudity and obscenity in any form. Also notes that countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle-east have enacted legislations that ban pornography in their domains. Also aware that renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings on the psychological, sociological and mental consequences of viewing pornographic
contents,” he said.
The lawmaker listed some of the immediate consequences of viewing pornographic contents to include “deception in marriage and which may later on, affect family life; promoting adultery, prostitution and many unreal expectations that can result in dangerous promiscuous behavior.”
He added that pornographic content also leads to addiction, escalation, desensitisation and acting out sexually by one person as well as a change of attitude towards oneself and his family.