Entertainment - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

isaac aregbesola
Jun, Sat, 2024

FG, NESG sign MoU to drive reforms in creative sector

By Joshua Olomu

The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), towards repositioning the art, culture, and creative economy sectors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MoU was signed by officials of both organisations at the ministry’s headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

The MoU was designed to strengthen collaboration between the two parties towards developing a united policy, governance, institutional, legislative and implementation framework for operations of art, culture, and the creative sectors.

The goal, according to the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, is to enhance the sectors’ contribution to the national economy.

Musawa, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, said that the partnership would unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s creative economy.

She described NESG as a leading private sector-led think tank, dedicated to transforming Nigeria into an open, sustainable, and globally competitive economy.

According to her, the MoU is a bold step forwards fulfilling the mandate of the Ministry through partnership with critical stakeholders.

“Our collaboration with NESG is grounded in a clear set of objectives – to develop a robust governance structure for the art, culture, and creative industries.

“Together, we have co-created the policy thrust for the development of a comprehensive national policy on the creative economy aimed at guiding the development and regulation of Nigeria’s creative economy.

“This policy framework will provide strategic direction, outline key objectives, and establish regulatory mechanisms to foster growth, innovation, and sustainability within the creative sector.

“Once approved, the policy will be pushed to the National Assembly for their nod to establish the Act that will create a Central Authority for Art, Culture and the creative economy and establish a fund.

“Through strategic collaborations, forward-thinking policies, and dedication, we seek to unleash the complete potential of Nigeria’s creative sectors, championing enduring economic growth and cultural prosperity for future generations.”

On his part, the Director of NESG, Mr Udeme Ufot, who signed on behalf of the group, said that the MoU represents a significant innovation towards transforming the potential of the sector.

Ufot is also the Private Sector Co-Chair, Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Creatives, Culture and Sports Industries Policy Commission (THECCS) of NES.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would serve as a springboard for the growth of the sector.

“The effective implementation of the MoU would serve as a paradigm shift in the art, culture, and creative sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

“It is commencing with the public sector side, which shall witness the establishment and optimisation of the sectors’ governance frameworks.

“This will be achieved through reforms of policies, legislation, institutions, incentives, and human capacity development across relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

“On the private sector side, the implementation of the MoU will result in game-changing industry reset for sector practitioners across the cultural and creative sectors value chain and ecosystem,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Tayo Aduloju, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, NESG, said signing of the MoU followed a series of meetings, consultations, research, and stakeholder engagements.

Aduloju explained that the specific task under the collaborative MoU would among other initiatives, make the Nigeria Creativity Week an annual event.

According to him, NESG has established a wide range of institutional collaborations and signed memorandum of understandings to drive economic growth and development across different sectors. (NAN)(nannews.ng)

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Edited by Philip Yatai

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Thu, 2024

Entertainment

NBC lauds SLTV commitment to innovation, pledges fair treatment

By Joshua Olomu

Mr Charles Ebuebu, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has commended the innovation and excellence of SLTV, indigenous Nigerian satellite pay television, in ensuring competitive value delivery.

He made the commendation when Dr Ifeanyi Nwafor, Managing Director, Metro Digital Limited, operator of SLTV, and his management team paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday at NBC Headquarters in Abuja.

The visit was to brief the regulatory body on SLTv’s content offerings and innovations, and as well as efforts in ensuring quality and affordable service delivery to subscribers.

According to Ebuebu, as the nation witnessed the launch of the SLTV earlier in the year, the broadcast industry and subscribers are looking forward to experiencing the values it promises.

He lauded the brands commitment to innovation and excellence, and therefore pledged the commission’s unbiased stance in ensuring that ingenuity and competition thrived in the broadcast industry.

“As a regulator, one of our mandates is to encourage competition in the broadcast sector that brings innovation, allows local players to thrive and to build an economy around the broadcast sector.

“So we are very excited to have SLTV come in as a player in that space with its innovation and brand.

“In compliance with the rules of the NBC, we will definitely support them in the effort to bring new innovation as a local player in that space.

“What the NBC can do and will do is to establish a level playing field for all players; there is not going to be discrimination, where you have a major player with different rules.

“We are going to put a level playing field so that price will come to play, and whatever features you bring, that will be an edge for competition rather than a dominant position.

“As we speak, we are reviewing our rules and regulations in that space and we are bringing up policies that will open up the industry, allow innovation, services and features to thrive,” he said.

The NBC helmsman, who received the visitors in company of his management team, said the commission would be conducting an inspection visit to SLTV office as part of its regulatory functions.

He said the visit was to obtain first-hand information on the newly launched project, assess its operations, and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Earlier in his remark, Nwafor expressed appreciation to NBC for opening space for other players to come into the industry, which was fostering competition and innovation.

“I have to thank the Federal Government and NBC for the effort they made over the last few years to put regulations in place to end the monopolistic practices of the dominant players.

“It is based on those amendments and those new regulations that we are able to emerge and have a chance to play in this industry.

“We believe that the Nigerian market is very big and we believe that our people can do a whole lot and there is a big opportunity for any person that wants to participate in the industry.

“I want to thank NBC for dealing with some of the issues that have held the industry down for a very long time.

“I believe this is the dawn of a new age, that going forward, we are going to see a lot of innovation and more players coming into the industry to become more vibrant.

“In due course, same way our music and movies industries are making waves all over the world, our broadcast industry will also do , not just in Nigeria but all over the world,” he said.

Nwafor explained that 11 channels out of the 54 channels on SLTV were dedicated to local contents, which satisfies the 20 percent local content requirement by regulation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

isaac aregbesola
May, Thu, 2024

Entertainment

How smart is `Climate Smart Agriculture’ .to environment, food security

By Ebere Agozie, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

With the impact of climate change being felt on food systems around the world, and with the contribution of agriculture to global emissions also gaining attention, experts are focusing on climate change.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach to managing landscapes, cropland, livestock, forests and fisheries that address the interlinked challenges of food security and climate change.

However, stakeholders have expressed concern that the term could be used to green-wash industrial agricultural practices that could harm food production in the future.

Though climate smart agriculture is gaining attention and acceptance among stakeholders, including researchers and policy makers, there is growing concern about what smart ‘Climate Smart Agriculture’ really is.

With most of the world’s largest fertiliser and synthetic agrochemical manufacturers among the promoters of climate change, it the sincerity behind the said Climate Smart Agriculture comes under scrutiny.

According to an ActionAid Nigeria report, some governments and NGOs also worry that pressure to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture could lead to complications in the food systems of developing countries, with its attendant negative fallouts.

These worried stakeholders say that their agriculture systems have not contributed as much to the problem, but that going the Climate Smart Agriculture way could actually limit their ability to effectively adapt to the climate challenges ahead.

They argue that there are no identifiable yardsticks for determining what ‘Climate Smart’ is, since entities that could be destructive to the climate, the farmers, and the environment, also freely use the word Climate Smart Agriculture.

Mr Bowie Attamah, a legal practitioner and an environmentalist said promoters of industrial scale mono-cropping were jumping on the ‘Climate Smart’ bandwagon, claiming that they proffer solutions to climate change.

“The same so-called ‘green revolution’ industries that have been widely criticised for their significant contribution to climate change and their negative environmental and social impacts on farmers and food systems.

“The have simply re-branded themselves as ‘Climate Smart’ and continued as before.

“Synthetic fertilisers, for example, contribute significantly to climate-change greenhouse gases while large-scale industrial livestock production has been shown to be a major contributor to climate change.

“Ultimately, there are no means to ensure that ‘Climate Smart Agriculture’ is actually smart for the climate, for agriculture, or for farmers,’’ he said.

Attamah said that synthetic fertilisers contribute to climate change as the creation of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers is energy-intensive, burning large amounts of fossil fuels and leading to high CO2 emissions.

“When applied to the soil, they can release Nitrous Oxide (N2O), a highly potent greenhouse gas that has 298 times the atmospheric warming effect of CO2’’, he said.

“There are, therefore, significant concerns that destructive agribusinesses are able to use climate rhetoric and the general confusion over the term ‘Climate Smart Agriculture’, to provide ‘green-wash’ cover to their activities.

“This enables them to expand into new markets such as Africa while undermining local economies, ecosystems, seed diversity and farmers, in the process.

“So, I’m skeptical when I hear people who are destroying the environment claiming that that they also practice climate smart agriculture’’, Attamah told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

However, stakeholders have advocated the embrace and growth of organic and agroecological farming practices to enhance the health of the environment and its habitants, as well as food and nutrition security on the African Continent.

Experts say agroecology is an integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of food and agricultural systems.

They believe that farmers and food security would be better served through the implementation of specific, meaningful and tested strategies such as agroecology.

Prof. Olugbenga AdeOluwa, the Coordinator, Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN), said that needs to upscale its organic and agroecology practices to bring the continent to the forefront of having a secure food system and safe environment.

AdeOluwa also said that there is a need to improve local development for export business in organic agriculture to improve the continent’s GDP.

“Capacity building of strategic practitioners in the organic agricultural sector of Nigeria is needed to contribute to food security, income generation, employment, systems resilience, among others”, he said.

Another expert, Mrs Joyce Brown, Programme Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), said that promoting agroecology would protect the environment, the earth and help in attaining food security.

Brown said that another reason for promoting organic and agroecological practices is due to the understanding that industrial agriculture is not healthy.

She, therefore, urged government sensitise the masses on the economic importance of organic and agroecology farming.

“Other methods of farming destroy the ecosystem and the introduction of GMOs also will lead to loss of biodiversity even as climate change contributes its own impact to the agriculture food system,” she said.

Experts have argued that agricultural production systems in many developing countries, which are usually far less industrialised, have done the least to contribute to the global problem of climate change.

They argue that supporting their agriculture to adapt to changing weather conditions should be the greatest priority, and that they should not be obliged to take on more than their ‘fair share’ of mitigation commitments in agriculture.

They say developed countries, which have intensive production and high consumption models of agriculture, should consider changing their agricultural practices, while allowing developing countries to focus on their adaptation needs.

They say climate smart agriculture should not be a proxy to force developing countries to carrying more than their fair share of climate change mitigation, nor to let developed countries off the hook.

The idea of climate smart agriculture may sound appealing to many organisations and governments but should be approached with caution because of the risk of harmful green-wash agricultural practices.

There is a great need to make a distinction between developed nations, who are largely responsible for climate change, and developing nations who are the least victims of this phenomenon. (NANFeature)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

isaac aregbesola
May, Tue, 2024

Entertainment

Shettima, Atiku, Govs, NSA attend funeral prayers for late Lamorde

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday joined other mourners for the funeral prayers of late Ibrahim Lamorde, former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who passed away on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the funeral prayer which held at the Abuja National Mosque, was attended by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Others are Govs. Babagana Zulum of Borno, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Sen. Ali Ndume, Elder statesman Umar Mutallab, Sen. Ali Sheriff, and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayele Ahmed.

Shettima, who offered prayer for the departed soul, emphasised the principles of justice, integrity, and accountability that guided Lamorde’s life.

” Today, we gather not only to bid farewell to a dedicated public servant, but also to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of justice and integrity.

” As we offer our sincere prayers for the departed soul, let us also renew our resolve to walk the path of righteousness.

” The fight against corruption is a sacred duty, and it is incumbent upon us to purge our institutions of any traces of graft for the sake of our nation and our future generations.”

He also stated that “funeral prayer reminds us of the ephemeral nature of this world and the certainty of the hereafter.

” Let us strive to leave behind a legacy of integrity, just as Ibrahim Lamorde dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice and the eradication of financial crimes.

” I call upon all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, to unite in this noble cause.

” Together, we can build a nation where corruption has no place, and the principles of the Qur’an guide our actions and decisions,” he said.

Lamorde, aged 61 and EFCC third Executive Chairman died on Sunday morning in Egypt, where he had travelled for medical treatment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lamorde, according to a family source, died around 3.00am local time in Cairo, Egypt, three days after undergoing a surgery.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima (5th Right) with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and others at the funeral prayers of late Ibrahim Lamorde, former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

He was born on Dec. 20, 1962, in Mubi, Adamawa , and attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, graduating with a Bachelor of arts degree in sociology in 1984.

He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1986 and retired as a Deputy Inspector-General

Lamorde was the pioneer Director of Operations of the anti-graft agency when it was created in 2003.

He was acting chairman of the commission in Janu2008, a position he held until Waziri was appointed chairperson and confirmed by the senate in June 2008.

Lamorde returned to the EFCC in 2010 as Director of Operations, replacing Stephen Otitoju.

He was appointed in an acting capacity as chairman of the anti-graft agency on Nov. 23, 2011 following the removal of Farida Waziri by then President Goodluck Jonathan.

He was made third substantive chairman of the agency on Feb. 15, 2012, a position he held until Nov. 9, 2015, when former President Muhammadu Buhari replaced him with Ibrahim Magu. (NAN)(wwwnannews.ng) (NAN)

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Fri, 2024

Entertainment

NCMM digitises museums, monuments to boost tourism

By Joshua Olomu

Mr Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), said efforts were underway to digitise the nation’s museums, monuments and heritage to boost tourism.

He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of an event to celebrate the 2024 International Museum Day (IMD) on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the nation has rich cultural and historic heritages, as well as artifacts which need to be showcased to the world to make Nigeria a choice tourists destination.

He said that Nigeria needs to take advantage of digital platforms to showcase its rich history, and that was what NCMM seeks to achieve.

“It is time for us to start to celebrate our culture, celebrate our heritage, control our own narrative and tell our own stories so that subsequent generations can take pride in being Nigerians.

“The museum space is a very good opportunity to boost tourism, by showcasing our heritage because people are very interested in Nigerian culture.

“If we can get our museum to the standard where people can fly in from other parts of the world, definitely that will boost our economy,

“These tourists are coming to spend money as they stay in hotels, they are going to restaurants and they will even experience other things besides the museum.

“That is why we need to digitise to showcase that our culture is as good as any other culture in the world, and that we do not always have to look outside to find inspiration.

“So with digitisation, we have started 3D scanning of a lot of our artifacts, and what that does is it to allow you experience an object anywhere in the world online.

“We are also revamping our website to become more user friendly and creating virtual tours, so that on your phone you can walk around museums and have experience as if you were there in real life,” he said.

Holloway added that the commission was presently working towards revamping museums across the country in line with the ‘renewed hope’ mantra of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He, however added that because of the huge funding required for the projects, the commission was seeking public-private partnerships for the projects.

“There is the infrastructure upgrade and is the hardware, so for us we can achieve this only through partnerships with the private sector because funding is also a big part of any dream you have.

“We are currently building a world class storage facility in Benin, and these are just some of the things that we are doing to reposition our museums,” he said.

NAN reports that International Museum Day (IMD), coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).), is held annually on May 18.

IMD provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them as to the challenges that museums face, and raise public awareness on the role museums play in the development of society.

It also promotes dialogue between museum professionals and highlights a specific theme which changes every year reflecting a relevant theme or issue facing museums internationally.

“This year’s theme is “Museums for Education and Research”.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Wed, 2024

Entertainment

FG prohibits ‘money rituals`, vices in Nollywood films

By Joshua Olomu

Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), says the Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and glamourising of vices in Nigerian films.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Husseini disclosed this at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday.

The event was 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 Nigerian film industry were present at the event.

Husseini said that today, we are 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 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,” he said.

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

According to him, besides the health implications, glamourising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigeria 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 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,” he said

NAN reports that 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. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Joseph Edeh

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Wed, 2024

Entertainment

Nollywood Guilds pledge support for smoke-free films campaign

By Joshua Olomu

Leaders and representatives of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry have pledged their support for the campaign against smoking and consumption of harmful substances in Nollywood films.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the thespians made the commitment during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Tuesday.

The event was organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

Representatives of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Directors, Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and the Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN), were among those who attended the event.

Others included foremost Nollywood filmmakers Fred Amata, Teco Benson, Zeb Ejiro and representatives of the Nigerian Film Corporation(NFC), among other stakeholders.

In his opening address, Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of NFVCB, said the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the danger inherent in smoking in Nigerian movies.

According to him, besides the health implications, glamourisation of smoking in films poses negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigeria movie viewers.

“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.

“In spite of the obvious fact that our culture and heritage are part of our existence, we tend to pay less than optimal attention to the movies that are produced.

“This continued until recently when CAPPA decided to reach out to the developers and regulators of the film industry to put an end to the menace of smoking in movies.

“The NFVCB is well prepared to take leadership in this regard and has planned and began implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate.

“The measure is particularly important at this crucial time when the National Assembly is insisting that there is ‘Need to Curb the rising spate of cultism, trafficking, consumption of Illicit drugs and other substances among youths in Nigeria,” he said.

At the end of proceedings in the sensitisation workshop, participants, including delegates of the various guilds present, unanimously pledged their support for a smoke-free Nollywood.

They assured members of the public that moving forward, they would ensure that smoking and other vices are not glamourised, especially in films meant for children and young adults.

Blessing Ebigieson, AMP National President said: “Filmmaking starts as an idea and story writing before you can assemble cast and crew, and that is our work as producers.

“So, our members shall ensure that stories, especially the ones for films for children, do not have smoking scenes.”

Mr Victor Okhai, National President of DGN said: “It is our children we are talking about here; we shall ensure that they are protected from smoking by ensuring they are not exposed to such films.”

However, Salisu Muazu, Secretary General of MOPPAN, emphasised the need for intensive education on the menace of smoking in films and offered to produce a Public Service Announcement (PSA).

Mr Patrick Lee, who represented the Cinemas Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN), said members would ensure that PSAs against smoking in films are exhibited.

Earlier in his presentation, Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA, said there was need to reverse how movies and music videos presented smoking and tobacco use as a ‘cool way of life’.

“Tobacco is a killer and it currently kills over eight million people annually, with over 75 per cent of this from developing countries, where unfortunately Nigeria belongs.

“Today, smoking still remains very prevalent in our movies, in contravention of the NTC Act and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, which explicitly prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships in movies and entertainment.

“As we tell the Nigerian story, shape our future and build a society that is genuinely productive, we strongly believe that Nollywood has a role to play in stopping non-communicable diseases in Nigeria,” he said.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Muhyideen Jimoh
May, Tue, 2024

Entertainment

NFVCB, CAPPA launch campaign against smoking, harmful substances in Nollywood films

By Joshua Olomu

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in collaboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA,) has launched campaign against smoking and consumption of other harmful substances in Nollywood films.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both organisations held a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood to sensitise filmmakers on Tuesday in Enugu.

Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leader of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at event.

In his speech , Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of NFVCB, said the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the danger inherent in consumption of smoking in Nigerian movies.

According to him, besides the health implications, glamourisation of smoking in films poses negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigeria movie viewers.

“In spite the obvious fact that our culture and heritage are part of our existence, we tend to pay less than optimal attention to the movies that are produced.
“This continued until recently when this group, CAPPA decided to reach out to the developers and regulators of the film industry to put an end to the menace of smoking in movies.

“Therefore, 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.

“Most especially at this crucial time when the National Assembly is insisting that there is “Need to Curb the rising spate of cultism, trafficking, consumption of Illicit drugs and other substances among youths in Nigeria”, he said.

The NFVCB helmsman added that the board was set to undertake detailed enlightenment programmes in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups and other institutions.

Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of CAPPA , said Nollywood has a role to play in ensuring that the growing concerns of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria is addressed.

According to him, there is need to reverse the role movies and music videos play in “the painting of smoking and tobacco use as a cool way of life.”

“Tobacco is a killer and it currently kills over eight million people annually, with over 75 percent of this from developing countries, where unfortunately Nigeria belongs.

“Today smoking still remains very prevalent in our movies, in contravention of the NTC Act and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, which explicitly prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships in movies and entertainment.

“With more than five million young Nigerians .aged 15 years addicted to smoking cigarettes, our jobs as movie practitioners and parents should include preparing our children for a smoke-free future.

“I want to specially thank the Executive Director of the NFVCB . for welcoming us with open arms in support and collaboration for this very important initiative,” he said

He explained that CAPPA) is a Pan-African organisation with robust interest in working with African communities to build partnerships towards the promotion and defense human rights through corporate and strategic policies and practices.

Earlier, Ali Nuhu, veteran actor and Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), commended NFVCB and CAPPA for the initiative.

Nuhu, who was represented by Mr Brian Etuk,Director Public Affairs of NFC, said the corporation was willing to engage stakeholders across the country on issues that will engender growth of the film industry.

“The NFC believes in partnerships that works, collaborations that pull efforts towards the same direction and in this dispensation, the joint efforts by the NFC and NFVCB shall be felt within the film industry.

“This workshop is apt and it takes its ample place in our collective quest of using film/movies to address societal moral issues, which has become prevalent, especially among our youthful population.”he said.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Rabi'u Sani Ali
May, Tue, 2024

Entertainment , Economy/Business

Nigeria’s cinema generates N2.25bn revenue in Q1, 2024

By Taiye Olayemi

Nigeria’s cinema has generated a revenue of N2.25 billion from tickets sold in the first quarter of 2024.

Filmone Entertainment, an independent film distribution and production company, revealed this in its Nigerian Box Office Year Book for 2023, released on Monday.

The period under review had a remarkable improvement from ticket sales compared to N1.5 billion generated in first quarter of 2023.

According to the details, total admission of persons at the cinemas in the first quarter of this year was 596,609, while the same period in 2023 witnessed 620,477 attendance.

Also, average ticket price in the first quarter of the year stood at N3,765 against N2,479 for 2023.

The details reads: “The box office revenue for Q1 2024 is N2.25 billion, inclusive of spillovers, with 596,609 admissions.

“Year-on-year, this is a 46 per cent improvement in box office revenues, although ticket prices have indeed gone up by 52 per cent.

“Nonetheless, despite the huge spike in ticket prices, the admissions rate is down by 4 per cent year-on-year, which translates to a negative correlation of admissions to ticket prices.

“We have seen Nollywood hold 56 per cent of the box ofice over the period, with the highest grossing film of the year: A tribe called Judah, responsible for 27 per cent of the Q1 overall revenue, and Warner Bros. Aquaman and the lost kingdom with 11 per cent.

“There have been a total of 40 new titles released in the territory already in Q1 excluding spillovers.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Lilian Okoro
May, Fri, 2024

Entertainment

Monitor children’s use of social media, commissioner tells parents

By Sunday John

Nasarawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Rufai-Ibrahim has called on parents to regulate the kind of content their children consume on the social media.

Rufai-Ibrahim said that this was important in order to curtail the increasing rate of social vices.

She spoke at a news conference to commemorate the 2024 International Day for Families on Friday, in Lafia.

The commissioner said that the advent of the social media had brought another dimension to children’s exposure.

According to her, it exposes children to platforms where they can commit social vices and crimes without the knowledge of their parents.

She said that a child does not need to go outside the house in the era of social media before committing crime or engaging in unlawful activities as was the case in the past.

The commissioner said that parents must know where their children go, know their friends and what they do.

She urged parents, especially fathers, to spend time every week with their families in order to bond together and know each other better.

“Parents should try to hangout at least once a week to fraternise and rekindle the affection for each other.

“This type of communication will go a long way to bring happiness to members of the family and is capable of tackling mental health challenges,” she added.

She said that husbands need to help their spouses in domestic activities, to reduce the level of stress associated with workload.

Rufai-Ibrahim said that many parents often spend much time making money and building careers that they forget about proper upbringing of their children in the digital age.

She said that families were experiencing the greatest existential challenges in the country due to harsh economic and social conditions.

“The average standard of living of families has fallen in the face of high inflation caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.

“The high cost of kerosene, cooking gas and electricity has led to activities that are harmful to the environment, thereby threatening the ecosystem and leading to climate change,” she added.

Rufai-Ibrahim said that the wellbeing of families had always been an issue of concern to the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration.

She said that the government would sustain its effort to improve infrastructure and welfare of the people of the state.

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

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