NFC WADES INTO KANO FILM CRISIS
Succor may have come the way of Kano based movie makers as the Nigerian Film Corporation has waded into the face off between them and the Kano State Film and Video Censors Board over the suspension of film production activities with an appeal to the Kano State Government to rescind the six (6) months ban order as it is detrimental to production activities.
This was the outcome of discussions between the Nigerian Film Corporation led by Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director, and Mallam Abubakar Rabo Abdulkareem, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Film and Video Censors Board, held in Kano recently
According to Mr. Adesanya, who led NFC's management team to the meeting, the need to urgently review the suspension order was in the interest of the nation as a film producing destination.
He reiterated that, there was the need to sustain the cordial relationship existing between the Censors Board and film makers in Kano ,which led to the joint proactive action of the Kano State Censors Board and the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) to the Kannywood Porno Film episode.
The NFC Boss, who spoke very passionately about the plight of the motion picture producers in Kano and its environs, and the need to sustain the growth of the sector in general, expressed deep concern over the negative effects the suspension order would have had on the industry.
He drew the attention of the Executive Secretary to a similar ban on actors by Marketers a couple of years back, and the incalculable damage it caused the industry, emphasizing that this type of action is best avoided, or used as a last resort.
Mr. Adesanya informed the Kano State Censors Boss that the NFC was statutorily established to undertake some of the concerns raised by the Kano State Government which led to the suspension order, which includes registration of production companies, the training and retraining of film professionals, streamlining the operations of film Guilds and Associations, which is being achieved through the Motion Picture Practitioners Council Of Nigeria (MOPICON).
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Censorship Board, Mallam Abubakar Rabo Abdulkareem, thanked Mr. Adesanya for the intervention and commended his efforts in driving the motion picture industry in Nigeria to the next level.
He promised that the request for the review of the suspension order will be given the utmost attention and consideration it deserves.
Mallam Abdulkareem however informed his guests that the Censors Board had to take certain measures, including the suspension of film activities in order to arrest the ugly trend brewing within the sector in Kano, which includes the indiscriminate shooting of films.
And the use of offensive materials in film production, insensitivity to the culture and religion of the people.
Mallam Abdulkareem said that Government of Kano State was determined to elevate film production and cinema culture in Kano to greater heights, and needs the co-orperation of filmmakers to achieve this noble feat.