The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement on Thursday debunking claims making the rounds in the public that it had signed the “Samoa Agreement,” believed to tolerate and protect the rights of homosexuals, transgenders, and other unconventional sexual behaviours.
The Samoa Agreement is a partnership deal between member states of the Organization of Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union that covers six key priority areas: human rights, democracy, and governance; peace and security; human and social development; environmental sustainability and climate change; inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development; and migration and mobility.
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The Ministry clarified that the country wasn’t represented at the signing and is currently scrutinising the pact’s alignment with the country’s domestic laws.
Francisca Omayuli, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “The general public is invited to know that Nigeria was not represented at the signing ceremony, which took place in Samoa on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, and hence has not signed the agreement.
“Relevant Nigerian stakeholders are currently studying the instrument with a view to ensuring that its provisions do not contravene Nigeria’s domestic legislation.”
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