From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The federal government has been called upon to shutdown the German Cultural Centre, Goethe Institute, located in Lagos for promoting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) through its films.
The Convener of the Nigeria Interfaith Network, George Nwadike, in a statement made available to Daily Sun, said the call became necessary as Goethe Institute, as part of its community outreach series and film season, is showing films with heavy LGBTQ themes that flouts Nigerian laws and a disrespect to the religion and culture of their host country.
Nwadike also said the call became necessary as a result of the institute’s consistent moral degradation of Nigeria’s socio-cultural and religious values, through its activities.
“Our attention has been called to the flagrant violation of the laws of Nigeria by Goethe Institute, a German Cultural centre in Lagos. The centre as part of its community outreach series and film season, is showing films with heavy LGBTQ themes that flouts Nigerian laws and a disrespect to the religion and culture of their host country,” Nwadike said.
Nwadike also said the films, ‘Everything Will Be Fine’ by Angelina Maccarone and ‘No Hard Feelings’ by Faraz Shariat, both promoted by Goethe Institute, were not only immoral, but antithetical to the laws of the country.
He further said the Goethe Institute should further note that the Same Sex Prohibition Act of 2013 states that “Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria, commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison.”
Nwadike urged relevant government authorities to take swift action before the activities of the institute causes disaffection and a breakdown of law and order, not only in Lagos State, but across the entire country due to the sensitivity of the populace to issues concerning the prohibition of LGBTQ in Nigeria.