Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has come to the defence of a woman who said she is being threatened after challenging the content of her child’s book in a viral video on Saturday.
After voicing concerns about a book that contained what she described as graphic violence, the senator, who described the situation as unsettling and intolerable, stated in a Facebook post on Sunday that she had been interested in the situation of “a worried woman supposedly being threatened.”
“My attention has been drawn to a distressed woman reportedly being threatened over concerns she raised about a children’s storybook containing graphic cruelty,” Senator Natasha wrote.
“Content intended for children must never be distressing, confusing, or inadvertently normalise violence, especially toward animals. Safeguarding young minds is a shared responsibility,” she added.
Senator Natasha continued that parents have the right to challenge educational materials, and institutions need to be transparent.
She said, “Parents have every right to question and vet the materials their children are exposed to. Likewise, publishers and business owners must remain open to feedback, while the Ministry of Education and its agencies must be proactive in ensuring that all educational materials meet appropriate standards.”
“Threats or intimidation over such concerns are unacceptable. I would appreciate being connected to her immediately so this matter can be properly addressed,” Senator Natasha added.
What video did Senator Natasha react to?
ENigeria Newspaper can confirm that Senator Natasha defence comes after the mother went viral with a video in which she said that after voicing concerns over a chapter in her child’s book, she was asked to put it down.
She said that the story, which depicted an old man punishing a dog for failing to protect meat by burning its snout with a hot iron, was unsuitable for young children.
“As a first-time mum, my children are my priority. I read this and came online to ask if this is the kind of book they are reading now. It doesn’t sit well with me. They told me to bring it down, and I did immediately. I’m not doing this for trend.
“Because now, they are threatening me ; my family are in danger. Police people have picked some people that are close to me. “They sent me an invitation. I know that that invitation is arrest. I don’t have money for lawyers.
“This is for my five-year-old child. It is too much. Most children are mischievous, and you are giving them the go-ahead to do what they are doing.
She appealed for help from the public, particularly legal professionals and parents. Nigeria, please help me. I’m crying for help. Lawyers, you guys should please help me,” she added.
So far, no authority directly involved has spoken directly on the issue on any of the social media such as X or Facebook.
