ICYMI: FG Implements Ban On Ritual And Smoking Depictions In Nigerian Films

ICYMI: FG Implements Ban On Ritual And Smoking Depictions In Nigerian Films....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Federal Government has approved a ban on money rituals and the glamorization of vices in Nigerian films.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini, announced this at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday.

The event was organized by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, with movie producers, directors, actors, and leaders from various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry in attendance.

Husseini emphasized the urgent need for bold and ambitious actions from parents, guardians, and stakeholders to address the current industry challenges.

“When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, about the need for a subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he also saw the need to include money rituals,” Husseini explained. “Other aspects included in the regulation are ritual killings and the glamorization of other crimes to further sanitize the film industry.”

Husseini announced that the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has approved the regulation under section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004. The regulation prohibits the depiction of money rituals, ritual killings, and the promotion and glamorization of tobacco, tobacco products, and nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits. The approved regulation has been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazetting.

Husseini noted that the sensitization program aims to educate stakeholders about the dangers of smoking in Nigerian movies. Besides the health implications, glamorizing smoking in films negatively influences teens and young adults, who are the largest segment of Nigerian movie viewers.

The NFVCB plans to undertake detailed enlightenment programs in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups, and other institutions. “The film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, and we must prioritize its progress,” Husseini stated. “The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and smoke-free Nollywood, and we seek collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.”

The NFVCB, in collaboration with CAPPA, decided to create subsidiary regulations to address smoking in movies, as this aspect was not explicitly covered in the existing law. Husseini assured that the NFVCB is prepared to lead this initiative and has planned and begun implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate.

NAN reports that the Board is required to register all film and video outlets across the country and maintain a register of such registered outlets, among other functions

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