Lagos Assembly Calls For Protection Of Gender Morality

Adefunmilayo Tejuosho

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the Ministry of Information and every other relevant agencies to enlighten the public about the behavioural implication of strange foreign practices on the youth and encourage the practice of the Nigerian culture.

The House also called on the State Films and Video Censors Board to ensure adequate content control of films, videos and musical lyrics in the State.

Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho who moved the motion at the plenary on Tuesday said that she was aware of a planned series programmes to be aired  by the True Life Chapter (TLC) channel on the Digital Satelite Television (DSTV) platform “ I am Jazz, a story of transgender teenager” with a view to promoting gender immorality in the society.

Hon. Tejuosho noted that she is concerned about the perceived silence of the Federal Government Authorities about the spate of uninhibited display of obscenities and uncensored programme on the Nigerian airwaves as evident in musical videos, films and other airings on National Television especially the State Television Networks.

The lawmaker further stressed that “If the planned transgender programme aired on the Digital Satelite Television (DSTV) platform is not statutorily checked before it goes public, it will not only corrupt the Nigerian youth but capable of luring them into sexual vices, contrary to the relevant sections of the Nigerian laws which forbids homosexuality and sexual pervasion in the society.

She however said there is need for Government both at the Federal and State levels to protect the sanctity of the Nigerian airwaves through the establishment and enforcement of the Censor Boards and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission to prevent contents that are offensive to under-aged viewers and audience.

In a related development, the House has unianimously called on the National Assembly to amend some sections of Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act N0 18, 1990 with a view to recommending stiffer penalties for contraventions.

Hon. Moshood Oshun from Lagos Mainland Constituency 2 moved the motion titled “Need to ensure quality control of manufactured and imported products in Nigeria”.

Hon. Oshun pointed some sections which need to be amended. The sections are Section 15, offences relating to standards, Section 16, powers of the Ministers to establish standard as binding and Section 19 offences.

Oshun said that the high volume of substandard products either manufactured or imported into the country, have continued to have deadly implications on the health of Nigerians and in some cases resulted into loss of lives and properties.

November 04, 2015