Nigeria finally bans occultism in Nollywood movies after years of campaign against it
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Abuja has finally banned scenes portraying money rituals and other occultic practices in Nollywood movies, after years of agitation by campaigners who say such rituals encourage human sacrifice, blood sucking, satanic money, and other evils in the real world.
National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Chief Executive Officer Shaibu Husseini confirmed the government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and other glamourising of vices in Nigerian films.
Husseini made the disclosure at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu, organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the local film industry were present at the event, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
“Today, we are facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders,” Husseini said.
“When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, on the need to make a 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 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.”
Smoke-free Nollywood and smoke-free movies
Husseini explained the event in Enugu was organised to educate stakeholders on the danger of smoking in Nollywood movies.
Besides the health implications, he stressed, glamourising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nollywood movie viewers.
He announced the board plans 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 supports smoke-free Nollywood, and we therefore seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.
“After series of engagements, the NFVCB in collaboration with the CAPPA, decided to do a ‘subsidiary regulations’ 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 began implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate.”
Husseini reiterated it is the duty of the board to register all films and videos outlets across the country, and to keep a register of such registered outlets, among other functions.
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