Church urges African nations, govts to resist LGBT contents in education curricula

By Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The Church of Jesus Christs of Latter-day Saints has cautioned African countries and governments to resist pressure to accept and inculcate some inappropriate contents in the education curricula.
The Church said that inappropriate education contents related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) and others being promoted by some elements globally should never be included in the education curricula in Africa.
It said that accepting such cultures would weaken Africa value system, particularly the family values, which is the platform for moral development.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, on Wednesday, on the outcome of the two-day international Strengthening Families Conference organised by the Church in Abuja last month, with theme, “Strengthening Marriages,” the Director of Communications of the church, Ikpe George Nkanang, observed that the roots of marriages and family values are being attacked, and therefore, the government and individuals should not give room to the destruction of families and marriages.

Unveiling the communique of the conference, he said that destruction of family values through some education contents that expose children to sexuality could be catastrophic for the society, and could result in breakdown of societal values.

Nkanang urged African governments to resist such pressures by groups, within and outside Africa, which are anti-traditional marriages and families, challenging ministries of education of all African countries not to yield to the pressures to infiltrate the school curricula with “inappropriate” content that seeks to introduce children to sexuality.

He added: “Government agencies and political leaders should endeavour to formulate policies that would not only strengthen families but protect traditional marriages, and the ministries of gender, women, children and social protection in African countries should roll out social protection policies that will empower and build the resilience of families.”

He maintained that marriage between a man and woman is sacred, hence couples should go into it with every sense of responsibility and conscious of the fact that families and marriages are under attack by different socio-cultural issues, and they have a duty to make their marriage work.

The Director of Communications suggested that African countries should establish national awards for individuals and organisations that contributes to strengthening families and traditional marriage values, stressing that stronger nations are built on successful marriages and families.

The communique said:“Families and marriages are lifetime project that requires sacrifices, nurturing and understanding by couples, and taking necessary lessons from their mistakes, making amends and perfecting the union for better and optimum result.

“Couples should, as much as possible, avoid external interference in their families and marriages, and learn to resolve their differences themselves without allowing a third-party intervention, unless absolutely relevant. They should also manage their emotion and anger to avoid degeneration to violence.

“Physical and emotional trauma should be avoided irrespective of the level of provocation and circumstances. In addition to that, there should be mutual love and respect between husband and wife, with each knowing that there’s no middle road, and couples should set and understand family goals and work together to make a success of it.

“There should be unfettered communication among husband, wife and children, in order to avoid misunderstanding that could be a major problem to the foundation and survival of the family and marriage.

“Parents should be mindful of how they rebuke and speak with their children as extreme measures could affect their self-esteem in future.”

The church encouraged family members “to bond together by holding family prayers and home evening, dinning together and engage in family council to collectively address challenges faced by members.”

It also asked couples to inculcate the spirit of tolerance, forgiveness, mutual trust, openness, fidelity and appreciation, shunning selfishness and pride.

“Finance is very important, hence discussions about finances should be clear so there will be clear understanding of each other’s financial status,” the communique said.