The Bishop of Kwara Diocese, Anglican Church, Dr. Olusegun Adeyemi, on Saturday urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly not to succumb to pressure from the international community, including the United Kingdom, over the recently passed same intercourse marriage prohibition law in Nigeria.
British Prime Minister, David Cameron, had on Friday said his government might consider cutting off aid to Nigeria over the same-intercourse marriage bill passed by the National Assembly. Some other countries had also kicked against the law.
But Adeyemi, in an interview with our correspondent during the first annual lecture of Shalom Anglican Chapel in Ilorin, commended the Federal Government on its anti-gay marriage position. The lecture was titled, 'Growing old and ageing factors'.
He urged the government not to be afraid that Nigeria's economy might be negatively affected if there was withdrawal of aid from the UK or other countries.
According to the bishop, Nigeria should continue to depend on God for its economic growth and overall development.
Adeyemi said, "This is a comity of nations where there should be mutual respect for what people believe and do and how they do it. Nigerian is an African country that has been friendly to Britain.
"The law has been duly passed and it sees both Muslims and Christians agreeing on the definition of marriage and how marriage should be administered. It is a challenge for Nigeria to look upon God, who they think they fear and who has defined marriage.
"The Federal Government and the NASS should not be threatened by the pressure of some countries to accept gay marriage. They should remember that in the history of international warfare, Nigeria is the only country that executed a civil war without taking loan."
The Punch