afrol News, 13 September - The Director General of the National Films And Video Censors Board, Rosaline Ode, today commended Nigerian filmmakers on their "compliance" with the Board's "directive against projecting Nigeria in a negative light." Also the display of violence and pornography is now limited, she says.

Speaking in her office while receiving members of Nigeria's parliamentary committee on information and national orientation, Mrs Odeh noted that "fetish, violent and pornographic displays have been down- played by the film makers in recent times," according to a statement issued today by the Nigerian government.

Mrs Odeh however stressed that some "recalcitrant filmmakers" had continued to turn a deaf ear to the directive of the Board in this direction. She did not mention any names.

The Director-General told Nigerian lawmakers that her Board needed to be empowered financially by the government to improve and sustain the growth recorded in the industry, saying that the Board needs a lot of support to conduct workshops, seminars and public enlightenment campaigns for the benefit of the public and stakeholders.

The Chairman of the parliamentary committee and leader of the delegation, Dr Alaba Ojomo, noted that the Board "operated under an un-conducive environment," lacking appropriate equipment, and assured that the issues of improved funding for the Board would be taken to the House for consideration.

Dr Ojomo also reiterated the "need for filmmakers to project Nigeria's image positively in their films." Speaking further, he said he was in Ghana recently and observed that four television channels tuned were all featuring Nigerian movies simultaneously.

It was in this light that he said "wrong signals should not be sent to the international community about Nigeria through films." The government and the Censors Board therefore urge Nigerian filmmakers to assist in the efforts to market Nigeria abroad.

Nigeria has a growing film industry that also exports to several English-speaking African countries. Nigerian films have often been realistic in describing national problems such as violence, criminality and corruption, to the great frustration of politicians. In 1993, the Nigerian government established the National Films and Video Censors Board "to regulate and control the video film industry."

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more