The plan by the Federal Government to enforce the prohibition of money rituals, ritual killings, smoking and glamourising such vices in Nigerian films is generating mixed reactions.
It could be recalled that the Executive Director/CEO, National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini, announced the government’s stand during a national stakeholders’ engagement on smoke-free Nollywood, in Enugu, recently.
The event, which was organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, brought together movie producers, directors and actors, drawn from different parts of the country under one roof.
Leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry also participated in the event.
Husseini described the glamorisation of smoking, ritual activities and killing in the Nigeria movie sector as an industry emergency that required bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders.
He said: “When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, on the need to make subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he saw the need to include money rituals.
“Others included in the regulation are ritual killings and glamourising other crimes, in order to further sanitise the film industry.
“Today, I am delighted to announce to you that the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004, has approved the regulation.
“The minister has approved the ‘prohibition of money ritual, ritual killing, tobacco, tobacco products, nicotine products promotion, and glamorisation display of crimes in movies, musical videos and skits regulations 2024. We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for official gazette.”
He noted that the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the dangers inherent in smoking in Nigerian movies.
He explained that aside from the health implications, glamorising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults, who constitute the largest segment of Nigerian movie viewers.
He said the board was set to undertake detailed enlightenment programmes in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith based groups and other institutions.
“As you all know, the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, and it is imperative that we continue to place the highest premium on the progress of the film industry.
“The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and smoke-free Nollywood, therefore, we seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages,” he stated
