From ATTAHIRU AHMED, Gusau
Thursday, January 28, 2010
On Thursday, January 21, 2010, Gusau, the Zamfara State capital witnessed another historical event when the state Censorship Board burnt pornographic and blasphemous films that were confiscated from various film shops and vendors in the state. It is believed that pornographic and blasphemous films can trigger religious unrest in the state because they are against the Sharia injuctions.
In his speech during the burning of the offensive films, Governor Aliyu Shinkafi, who was represented by his Deputy Gov Muktari Ahmed Anka said that the establishment of the board was for the good of the people. He urged stakeholders and the society at large to give maximum cooperation to ensure the success of the board.
He explained that people should understand that the board was neither established to truncate their businesses nor is it meant to unnecessarily harass law abiding citizens.
The Director-General, National Film and Video Censors Board [NFVCB], Mr. Emeka Mba, represented by the zonal Coordinator, North-West, Dr. Ahmad M Sarari, commended the effort of the state government in its efforts to protect the people and ensure peace and security.
“It was a new chapter opened for the protection of national culture, peace, and security of children and young persons from harm and prevent access to materials which are offensive. “There was the need to take into account of community concerns about religion and prevent the exhibition of materials that are objectionable that may cause incitement, civil dis-order, portray persons in demeaning manner, incite or condone sexual violence.”
He reiterated that the burning of the pornographic and blasphemous films was in line with the Federal Government programme of re-branding Nigeria, “because wiping out such illicit films from circulation will lead to the availability of moral contents that will have positive impact on the attitude of Nigerians.
“The national body (NFVCB) therefore, warned that operators should desist from the unlawful acts or face the wrath of both the state and federal laws.”
Mallam Bashir Sanda Gusau, state chairman, Censorship Board, said lots of efforts had been put in place to bring to the limelight the activities of the board through the effective use of the mass media and other sources of enlightenment:
“The board was primarily established to regulate, checkmate and streamline all activities related to audio, audiovisuals and publications, vis-vis: audio and visual cassette/CDs, viewing centres, books, pamphlets, billboards, etc. “After receiving series of complaints from the public, this board on Monday, the 14th of January, 2010 swung into action and carried out one of its statutory responsibilities of mopping up some CD selling centres in Gusau, the state capital, where about 200 pornographic films were impounded. Also during the exercise, about 300 blasphemous films about the history of some past prophets, especially that of Prophet Yusuf (AS) were confiscated by this board. This action was taken after due consultations with relevant stockholders.
“Within the period under review, the board has registered about 100 commercial football viewing centres across the state. Among the conditions guiding their operation, is to be Shari’ah compliant, by avoiding hooliganism, display of weapons, appearance of women and teenagers, and operating not beyond 11:00 pm daily.
“So far, this board has censored about 10 films in the state which are currently in the market nationwide. They include among others, Jamila da Jamilu parts 1 & 2, Balaraba parts 1 & 2, Garinmu da Zafi Part 3 Acibalbal, Halaci and Mawadaci.
“I also seize this opportunity to restate our appeal to the government to come to our aid by providing us with logistics such as vehicles and motorcycles to enable us operate in all the nooks and crannies of the state. We also require editing gadgets for proper and timely censoring of films with a view to eliminating unwanted details.
He assured the state government and good people of Zamfara of “our resolve to make the state a safe haven from polluted films and publications which tend to corrupt the moral of our people, particularly our leaders of tomorrow, the youth.
“To the National Films and Video Censor Board, Abuja. We would continue to cooperate in whatever way possible to free the state in particular and country at large from the hands of undesirable elements, whose only language is how to get reach quickly. Films must be religiously and culturally sound before we allow them into our market.
“We would carefully study your proposal of memorandum of understanding between our board and yours with a view to implementing it for our collective benefit.”
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