Crime Stories: Tinubu’s government mulls gagging filmmakers, skit producers, scriptwriters

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) say they are collaborating on reducing the glamorisation of crimes in Nigerian films and other video works.

The agencies agreed to collaborate when NFVCB’s executive director/CEO, Shaibu Husseini, visited EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Husseini, who was accompanied by his management team, said the visit was to inform the EFCC boss about the board’s operations and plans to work with the commission.

He expressed concerns over the glamorisation of crimes and other ‘get rich quick’ tendencies in movies and skits on the internet, adding that the board was ready to nip this ugly trend in the bud.

Mr Husseini also noted that the EFCC and its operations are often misrepresented in films and video works and emphasised the need for public enlightenment campaigns.

“I have just assumed office as the CEO of the NFVCB and I have decided to visit the EFCC as a critical stakeholder in our collective efforts towards building a better society.

“We are trying as a board to discourage the glamorisation of crimes in our movies, including scenes that make young people jump into schemes that are criminal in real life,” said the NFVCB chief.

He added, “In doing this, we are starting from script writers, then the producers because the producers are the ones who supervise the contents. The board will start with the production of Public Service Announcement with the EFCC as part of our media literacy for Nigerians.

“Then we will engage the filmmakers and then the skit makers, and that includes seminars and conferences we shall be having with them on the implications of their works on society.”

Mr Olukoyede commended the NFVCB for its efforts to rid the Nigerian media space of unwholesome video content, adding that such content wrongly shapes public perceptions and behaviour.

He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two agencies and pledged full support and involvement of the EFCC.

“Several skits are flying around with an untrue portrayal of the EFCC and its officers, with this collaboration we hope that will be checked. We believe we have the right partner with you as films and videos are meant to promote good moral standards,” he said.

(NAN)