FG bans money rituals, smoking in Nollywood movies, skits

Husseini said that Nigeria was facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders.

“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.

READ ALSO:

• Seven terrorists killed in Kaduna, weapons, motorcycles recovered
• Why you shouldn’t pay bride price for non-virgin – Reno Omokri
• Israel denounces ICC actions, seeks global allies support

“Others included in the regulation are ritual killings and glamorising 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 the 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 product promotion and glamorisation display in movies, musical videos and skits regulations 2024’.

“We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for gazette,” he said.

Husseini said the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the danger inherent in smoking in Nigerian movies.

According to him, besides 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 that the board was set to undertake detailed enlightenment programmes in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith 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. And we therefore seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.

“After a series of engagements, the NFVCB in collaboration with the CAPPA decided to do a ‘subsidiary regulation’ to cater for smoking in movies since this aspect was not expressly spelt out in the extant law.

“The NFVCB is well prepared to take leadership in this regard and has planned and begun implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate,” he said.

NAN reports that it is the duty of the Board to register all film and video outlets across the country and keep a register of such outlets among other functions.

FG bans money rituals, smoking in Nollywood movies, skits