The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has called on stakeholders in the Nollywood industry to ensure that films, music videos, and other content are free from harmful and illegal activities such as smoking tobacco, criminal acts, ritual killings, and money rituals.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders’ Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood in Enugu, NFVCB Executive Director, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, emphasized the need for the industry to promote a healthy lifestyle and combat harmful content.
He commended the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) for organizing the event as part of its corporate social responsibility in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Dr. Husseini noted that the film industry plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and behavior, and therefore, it is essential to prioritize responsible content creation. He urged stakeholders to work together to mobilize resources and create innovative models to educate and sensitize the public about the dangers of harmful content.
CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, also stressed the need for a Smoke-Free Nollywood, citing studies that showed smoking remained prevalent in Nigerian movies despite the NTC-Act and Tobacco Control Regulations 2019 prohibiting tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorships in movies and entertainment.
The event aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage stakeholders to work towards a Nigerian screen free of unhealthy promotion of smoking tobacco and other harmful content.