Entertainment/Arts/Culture
NFVCB introduces Film Authentication Seal, Certificate to Curb Piracy
Mr. Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has made a public presentation of the Film/Video authentication seal and a new Certificate of Censorship to curb distribution of unclassified and pirated films and videos works in Nigeria.
Thomas made the presentation at a conference organised by the NFVCB in collaboration with the Department of Theatre Arts and Music of Lagos State University (LASU) held on Thursday in Lagos.
The one-day event with the theme, “Film Distribution and Regulation in Emerging New Markets in Africa”, brought together filmmakers, distributors, officials of the board, investors and members of the various guilds in the Nigerian movie industry.
According to Thomas the seal was produced to distinguish every film or video that was classified by the NFVCB from those ones not classified and approved.
He noted that the seal has several unique security features that cannot be forged or manipulated.
“While it will aid the NFVCB to differentiate between classified and unclassified films, it will also reduce the incident of piracy to a large extent.
“When a film is classified and approved, the owner or distributor will apply for the label after payment of approved fees.
“He or she would be issued the authentication labels for the number of copies to be replicated as ascertained by the NFVCB.
“We, therefore, need you to buy-in on this laudable project which hopefully will clear the market of unclassified, unapproved and, of course, pirated films/video works.
“The NFVCB, among its other functions, is empowered to censor and classify all films and video works to be distributed and or exhibited in Nigeria, and license all film and video distributors and exhibitors in Nigeria,” he said.
The executive director said that the conference was organised to bring both the practitioners and the regulator together to discuss salient issues that technology had brought to the fore in movie distribution.
According to Thomas, there were emerging trends in film and video distribution which has necessitated the board to initiate measures including introduction of the authentication label in line with global best practices.
He added that the new set of certificates printed by the board has unique security features to make them difficult to forge.
“The change of certificate is necessary because over the years, we have had many incidents of forgery of these documents,”he said.
Thomas added that the board would soon begin stakeholders enlightenment campaign on the new seal and certificate to ensure quick acceptance and compliance, before it begins enforcement drive.
Ola Olajide, Business Development Manager of DelaRue, producers of the new seal and certificates, made a technical presentations on the new documents.
According to her, the seal cannot be removed from genuine items and added to counterfeited ones,with several other authentication features.
Mr Raph Nwadike, National President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), expressed support and readiness of its members to comply with the NFVCB in its reforms towards repositioning the film industry.
“We are going to mobilize and enlighten movie producers and distributors to accept this new innovation by the NFVCB towards sanitising the industry to ensure that piracy is curbed,” he said.
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Gen Z No Longer Think for Themselves, Ayra Starr’s Mother Blames Social Media
Nene Aderibigbe, mother of Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, has criticised the influence of social media on Gen Z, claiming that many young people now depend on other people’s opinions instead of thinking for themselves.
Aderibigbe said she worries about the younger generation because of their heavy dependence on phones and their inability to recognise their own talents.
Speaking about the issue, she said: “Social media has just turned a lot of things upside down.
They don’t have their own thinking again; it is only people’s thinking they use now.”She also argued that many members of Gen Z are gifted but fail to recognise their abilities because of the influence of social media.
Aderibigbe advised young people to spend at least two to three hours away from their phones, reflect on their lives and practise meditation.
She said: “Take your time, drop your phone down for two, three hours, do mental note, put your head down, take a mental note or meditate.”
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Davido, Chioma Arrive in Style for Zlatan, Davita’s Wedding in Morocco
Nigerian music star, Davido, and his wife, Chioma Adeleke, have arrived in style in Marrakesh, Morocco, for the wedding celebration of rapper Zlatan Ibile and his wife, Davita Lamai.
The post was shared on the singer’s verified Instagram story @davido, on Thursday.
The celebrity couple’s appearance has added glamour to the ongoing wedding festivities, which have attracted prominent personalities from Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Davido, a close friend of the groom, was among the notable guests at the welcome party held ahead of the couple’s white wedding.
The celebration featured colourful displays, lively music and traditional Moroccan wedding customs, with Zlatan and Davita making separate grand entrances on decorated platforms known as amaria, carried by attendants. (NAN)
Entertainment/Arts/Culture
Court Awards N125, 000 Cost against Odumodublvck
An Abuja High Court on Wednesday awarded N125, 000 against a rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as “Odumodublvck”, for asking for adjournment.
Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded the cost while adjourning the matter until Oct.
27 for cross-examination and defence.The claimant, Ogbogiri Okey Levi, popularly known as Kraziecent, instituted an assault and battery suit against Odumodublvck.
At the resumed hearing, the claimant’s counsel, Uchenna Ojembe, announced his appearance and told the court that the matter was slated for cross-examination and defence.
Ojembe said his witness was in court and ready to proceed.
The Defendant’s Counsel, Ikenna Magnus, however pleaded with the court to grant him another date to enable him prepare for cross-examination and defence.
Magnus told the court that he was just coming into the matter and needed a little time to put his house in order.
Ojembe opposed the application and told the court that it was the usual delay tactic by the defence to obstruct and stall proceedings.
“This is the usual delay tactic to obstruct and stall proceedings. We will not be applying to keep them out, but we will be applying for N5 million cost,” Ojembe said.
However, the defence counsel again begged the court for leniency.
In her ruling, Justice J.O E. Adeyemi-Ajayi awarded a cost of N125, 000 against the Odumodublvck for delaying proceedings
She adjourned the matter until Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 for cross-examination and defence.
The News Agency Nigeria recalls that “Kraziecent” alleged that Odumodublvck assaulted him at a public event in December 2024, damaged his iPhone 15 Pro Max and caused him emotional distress.
He is seeking payment of medical expenses, a public apology via the defendant’s social media platforms and two national dailies, or N2 billion in damages.


