NEWS
NFVCB, CAPPA urges Nollywood to curtail display of Smoking in Nigeria Movies.
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From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
The National Film and Video Censor Board (NFVCB) in colloboration with Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have called on NOLLYWOOD to curtail display of Smoking in Nigeria Movies.
This call was made during a one day stakeholders engagement workshop organised by NFVCB and CAPPA at Nike Lake Resort Hotel Enugu on Tuesday with theme “Smoke Free Nollywood initiatives”.
The Executive Director of NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini in his speech emphasized that the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, therefore, there is need to ensure that films, video works, musical videos and skits are free of depiction and glamorization of harmful substances like smoking of tobacco, violence, criminal act, immoral act, ritual killings and money rituals.
He noted that movies and entertainment materials are veritable tools for transfer of ideas and promotion of alternative lifestyles. Therefore youths are initiated into using tobacco products through advertising and subliminal promotion of smoking scenes in movies, music videos and product placement.
According to him “The more frequently youths see smoking on screens, the more likely they are to start smoking”. He admonished them to create content that discourages smoking and promote positive health messages.
He further emphasized that the board is working towards establishing industry guidelines and best practices for the depiction of smoking in films, pointing that Minister of Arts and Culture and the creative economy, Barr Hannatu Musa Musawa, in pursuant to S; 65 of the NFVCB act 2004 has approved the prohibition of money rituals, ritual killing, tobacco products, nicotine product promotion, glamorization display in movies, musical videos and skits.
The Commissioner for culture and tourism Enugu State Dame Ugochi Madueke in her address, emphasized that Nigerian films are the reflection of our culture, values and aspirations which yield an incredible influence over public perception and behavior.
She lamented that glamorization of tobacco use in our screen is a trend we cannot afford to ignore especially the devastating consequences associated with smoking. She called on the professional script writers, film producers, film directors and actors to colloborate and show commitment to depict healthier lifestyles on screens.
Creating and engaging powerful stories that do not rely on smoking as a character trait, create stories that protect our youths, promote public health and pave way for a healthier future.
She further called on government, regulatory bodies, legislative arms, ministry of health, media to play a crucial role by advocating for policies that restrict tobacco portrayal in films and implement clear regulations that guides our film makers towards creating contents that is free from smoking scenes.
The Executive Director of CAPPA Akinbode Oluwafemi, in his welcome address tagged “Let Keep Our Screen healthy” lamented that smoking remains prevalent in Nigerian movies in contravention of the NTC- Act and the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019 which explicitly prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in movies and entertainment.
He noted that in shaping our future and building a Soceity that is genuinely productive in Nigeria, Nollywood has a role to play in ensuring that the growing concerns of non communicable disease in the country is addressed. “There is need to reverse the role movies and music videos play that paint smoking and tobacco use as a cool way of life. We are at a point we must stop the glamorization of smoking and instead promote healthy lifestyles” he said.
An Actor, Segun Arinze in his reaction commended the organizers for the engagement workshop and assured them that he will create a content in his skit to advocate for smoke free in our screen.
Association of film producers in their reactions assured the organizers that they will always project a warning that tell people that smokers are liable to die Young in their films.
NEWS
Ajuri, Tinubu’s Spokesperson Takes Exit, Cites Mesical Reaaona
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Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”NEWS
Fuel Crisis: 1000 CSOs Fault Tinubu’s Economic Team, Want Immediate Reconstitution
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By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.NEWS
Tension in Makurdi Community as NAF Personnel Demolishes Houses, Destroys Rice Farm
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There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.