Veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has expressed his disapproval of the recent decision by the Federal Government to prohibit smoking and glamorizing of money rituals and killings in Nigerian films, skits, and music videos.
The government’s decision was made under Section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004, which also includes the prohibition of tobacco and nicotine product promotion.
Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the NFVCB boss, mentioned this development during a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood in Enugu, in partnership with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
He emphasized the urgent need for bold actions from parents, guardians, and stakeholders to address the current challenges facing the industry.
In response to the ban, Kanayo O Kanayo criticized the move as “sensible nonsense.” He questioned the authority of the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, in approving measures to censor filmmakers.
The Nollywood legend seems to believe that such restrictions may limit the creative freedom of the industry.
