The attention of the Society for Animal Rights Protection has been drawn to a video that has recently gone viral over the observation of a concerned parent, Mrs. Maryqueen Udoka who was alarmed by the inappropriateness of the contents of a text book – ‘English Language Foundation for Nursery Schools (Volume 2) authored by Mr. Ayengbe Ebhohimen J B.
Specifically, the story on page 75, Unit 8,of the book titled ‘The man and the dog’ was about how an elderly dog owner decided to insert a hot iron in the nose of his dog as a punitive measure because the dog failed to apprehend a thief who stole the owners meat is very unfortunate. 
The storyline portrayed gross abuse of animal welfare, negative indoctrination, and direct promotion of cruelty to animals, which is forbidden by the extant laws in Nigeria. It is also at variance to the injuctions of the major religions practised in Nigeria, which serve as the foundation of our moral codes.
For example, the Holy Bible in Proverbs Chapter 12 verse 10 says, “A good man takes care of his animals. Other scriptures include Genesis 8:6-12. Balaam’s Ass in Numbers 22:21-33, Exodus 24:5, 11, among others.
The Holy Qur’an contained more than two hundred verses with direct references to humane handling of animals.
In fact, about six chapters are named after animals (Chapter 2 – Al Baqarah (The Cow), 2. Chapter 6 – Al An’aam (The Cattle), 3. Chapter 16 – Al Nahl (The Bees), 4. Chapter 27 – Al Nahl (The Ants),Chapter 29 – Al Ankabut (The Spider) 6. Chapter 105 – Al Films (The Elephant).
In the African Traditional Religion, humane considerations of animals are equally emphasized. For example, a Yoruba Proverbs says ‘ oju ni maalu n rọ́ , ọ̀bẹ ko dara lọrùn (literally, slaughtering is not convenient for a bull) among others.
This story has shown that there are knowledge gaps and a high level of ignorance, even in elite circles about animal welfare and its far-reaching implications in Nigeria.
Exposing children at the young age of between five to seven years to high handedness, recklessness, impunity and cruelty to animals is unfathomable and constitute a great danger to the impresionable minds of the young lads who would take lessons at that age hook, line and sinker, without filtering, based on their innocence. Such children would rather think that inhumane treatments of animals (as inanimate objects) are the grundnorm of the society
It has been scientifically proven that cruelty to animals could be directly correlated with all forms of anti-social behaviours in human society. For example, Hovel and Amber R. Macias-Mayo (2018) averred that animal cruelty is a predictor of current and future violence, including crimes of assault, rape, murder, arson, domestic violence, and sexual abuse of children.
We therefore join all men of goodwill and citizens of Nigeria to condemn this offensive chapter of the English text book for breaching the ‘five freedoms’ of animal welfare, especially freedom from pain and injury as enunciated by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
It is, however, gratifying to note that the Lagos State Government has reportedly disclosed that the said book has not been approved for use in schools by it. It’s also commendable that the State Government has constituted a panel of enquiry to investigate the whole matter. 
We are equally elated that the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) has also reportedly promised to beam its search light on the book to determine the fitness of such barbaric story for impresionable children.
We urge these investigative panels to do due diligence to forestall future occurrences while compelling the withdrawal of this particular edition of the textbook from circulation. The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, through The Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services and the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, should also rise in unison to ensure compliance.
As a non-governmental organization committed to the advancement of animal welfare and the prevention of cruelty to animals in Nigeria, we shall keep tab on this case until it’s resolved in the interest of the larger society.
In conclusion, we urge Nigerians to remember the counsel of Mahatma Ghandi, the late Prime Minister of India that ”the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”
Thank you.
Dr.Ibikunle Faramade, FCVSN is the President , Society for Animal Rights Protection – NiNigeria
Email: animalrightsprotection2020@gmail.com
