Ban on same sex marriage irrevocable - Mark

PRESIDENT of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has insisted that the bill prohibiting same sex marriage in the country is irrevocable.

He said the stand of the Senate on the issue was irrespective of pressures from some sections of the international community and human rights activists demanding the legalisation of same sex marriage in Nigeria.

The Senate President made this known in a statement signed his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh and made available to newsmen on Monday.

Besides banning same sex marriage, Senator Mark said it was now a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment of not less than 14 years.

Addressing Catholic faithful and guests at the civic reception in honour of Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyean in Abuja at the weekend, he said in spite of the pressures from some quarters, the law had come to stay.

“We will not compromise on this. I want to invite you all to join the crusade of decency in our society. There are many good values that we can copy from other societies but certainly not this one (same sex marriage).

“We have to prove to the rest of the world, who are advocates of this unnatural way, that as Nigerians, we promote and respect sanity, morality and humanity. Every individual is a product of the union of a man and woman”, he said.

He acknowledged the cordial relationship between the Nigerian State and the Church and pledged that the National Assembly would continue to do all within the law to ensure religious freedom and peaceful coexistence in the country.

Senator Mark also said the National Assembly would continue to support religious programmes that have positive bearing on Nigerians.

He, however, condemned religious intolerance or extremism, enjoining spiritual leaders to continue to pray for good governance, peace and security which he described as major challenges in the country at the moment.

He said, “we are doing our best to ensure protection of life and property”.

In his remarks, Cardinal Onaiyekan expressed appreciation to the Pope Benedict xii, the government Nigerians for their prayers and support especially since his elevation to the Collage of Cardinals.

He said he would continue to be a crusader for peace and unity of the nation where every citizen would have a sense of belonging.

Earlier, chairman of the reception organising committee, Rev. Father Innocent Jooji, noted that Onaiyekan a worthy soldier of Christ who had brought honour to the nation with his elevation to the Collage of Cardinals.