Assembly rejects motion to discourage pornographic, improper music contents in Akwa Ibom
• AKHA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong & Uduak Ekpo-Ufot
By Itoro Bassey
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, on Thursday, rejected a motion aimed at discouraging pornographic and inappropriate music content in the state.
Hon Uduak-Obong Ekpo-Ufot (Etinan State Constituency) who moved the motion at plenary expressed concerns about the explicit lyrics and violence depicted in current popular music which, according to him, have been ignored by members of the public.
The motion entitled, “Urgent need to discourage lewd and inappropriate music content and advocate for the upholding of the Christian values that are endemic to Akwa Ibom State” called for the House to suggest to Governor Umo Eno the establishment of a Directorate under the Ministry of Youths Development to monitor songs and lyrics containing graphic references to sex, drugs, and violence.
Ekpo-Ufot also prayed that the Directorate should collaborate with musicians, music producers, media outlets, government agencies, parents and guardians, religious organizations, businesses, young people, and other interested parties to effectively nurture the next generation of the state’s growing youth population.
He said: “Most song lyrics do not discuss dangers of sexual activity, such as unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
“Instead, they often glorify promiscuity and not only do both songs contain lewd and explicit contents about nocturnal sexual activities, they arguably promote the glorification of women as sex slaves.
“Their lyrics and video contents provide disturbing images of promiscuity, sexual deprivation and negative exuberance”.
Engr. Ekpo-Ufot added that “moral Suasion (defined as the act of persuading a person or group to act in a certain way through rhetorical appeals, persuasion, or implicit and explicit threats), should be used to discourage media houses from propagating lewd content on traditional radio and television stations”
He recommended that the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy collaborate with established private companies to create a current Akwa Ibom State digital ICT policy document aimed at regulating music and limiting inappropriate content “on Akwa Ibom State-specific IP Addresses” on major social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, among others.
But the motion and prayers were rejected by the majority of lawmakers who spoke on the matter.
Ekpo-Ufot listed the co-sponsors of the motion as: Hon Sunday Udofot Johnny, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, Hon Samson Idiong, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Udo, Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo, Hon Ubong Attah, Hon. Udobia Udo, Hon. Selina Ukpatu, Hon. Uwem Imoh-Ita, Hon. Nsidibe Akata, Hon. Eric Akpan, and Hon Ukpong Akpabio.
During the debate, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, Deputy Leader of the House, announced his withdrawal as a co-sponsor of the motion.
As supporters of the motion expressed their confusion over its rejection, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kufre Edidem, raised concerns about how it appeared on the Order Paper without the Speaker’s awareness.
Edidem suggested that the Chairman of the Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics, and Privileges should be cautioned against including items on the Order Paper without the Speaker’s approval.
As a result, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, declared that the motion would be set aside as it was deemed to be outside the jurisdiction of the state house of assembly.
One of the popular songs mentioned by Ekpo-Ufot in his motion was “Nyansh Na Nyansh” by Chella and Young Jonn, a Nigerian pidgin song that translates to “Bum is Bum,” essentially meaning that the size of one’s bum, whether big or small, is inconsequential.
Ekpo-Ufot stated: “I want to use this means to pause, and commend His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno and the Honorable Commissioner (for culture and tourism) Charles Udoh for the 31 days of fun at the well-attended Christmas Village.
“It was on one of my visits here with my young family that I heard the song “Nyansh Na Nyansh” by Chella & Young Jonn. It was too late to cover my childrens’ ears as I listened to the lyrics of this recently released song”.
Meanwhile, a motion regarding the presentation of a single tax clearance for the processing of family land, moved by Hon. Uwem Peter Imo-Ita (Mkpat Enin state constituency) was also rejected after Speaker Otong announced that it would be postponed until the sponsor could repackage it.
