In a significant move to uphold moral standards in Nigerian cinema, the Federal Government has sanctioned the prohibition of money rituals and the portrayal of vices in Nollywood movies.
The announcement was made by Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu.
The event, jointly organized by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, saw the participation of movie producers, directors, actors, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry.
Husseini emphasized the urgency of taking bold actions to address the challenges facing the industry. He revealed that the decision to include regulations against money rituals, ritual killings, and glamorizing crimes stemmed from the need to sanitize the film industry.
The Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has approved the regulations pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004. These regulations aim to prohibit the depiction of money rituals, ritual killings, tobacco, tobacco products, nicotine product promotion, and glamorization of vices in movies, musical videos, and skits.
Husseini stressed the importance of sensitizing stakeholders about the risks associated with showcasing smoking in Nigerian films. Besides the health hazards, glamorizing smoking influences young viewers negatively.
The NFVCB plans to conduct extensive enlightenment programs in schools, communities, faith groups, and other institutions to raise awareness about the harmful effects of smoking scenes in movies.
The board is committed to promoting smoke-free movies and fostering a healthy cinematic environment. Collaborative efforts are sought to create content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.
With the support of stakeholders, the NFVCB aims to lead the charge in implementing these regulations and ensuring the progress of the film industry while upholding moral values and protecting public health.
The National Film and Video Censors Board is tasked with registering all film and video outlets across the country and maintaining a register of such registered outlets, among other functions.
