A REVIEW OF THE NFVCB COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT WORKSHOP

By Perekeme Odon

From the early days of film censorship to a contemporary system committed to providing information and transparency about the content of films, the rating system remains a shining symbol of global artistic and creative freedom and a useful tool that maintains to this day the overwhelming approval of Nigeria’s parents.

In the early 1990s, legal decisions and public outcries over the “morality crisis” in Hollywood films and the emergence of the commercial film era in Nigeria gave rise to the establishment of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) by Act 85 of 1993 as the official regulatory agency for the film and video sector of the Nigerian economy with zonal censorship boards across the country, mainly controlled by the government. The Board is empowered by law to classify all films and videos whether imported or produced locally; register all films and video outlets across the country and to keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions. Filmmakers had to tailor their films to meet the requirements of the board or face being banned from that market.                                                              

Alhaji Adedayo Thomas Executive Director NFVCB

In keeping pace with technological and societal developments and providing innovative classification and censor services to help the public make informed viewing choices, the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) organized a three-day workshop tagged ‘STOP UNCLASSIFIED- Compliance and Enforcement’ for filmmakers, security agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry on the theme “STRENGTHENING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNCLASSIFIED FILM AND VIDEO WORKS” on 4^th – 6^th January 2019 at the Elomaz Hotels, Maryland, Lagos.

LR-DCP Ayodeji Ogundele, Adebayo-Salami & Alhaji Adedayo Thomas

The event was hosted by the amiable and charismatic Executive Director of NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, and presided by the Ogun state Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Gimba Mogaji, who was aptly represented by DCP Ayodeji Ogundele, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ogun state.

In his introductory address, Alhaji Adedayo said fulfilling the board’s directive is an indispensable mission as practitioners and stakeholders violate the NFVCB’s classification Act, and that is very detrimental to the viewing public and society in general. “This workshop is aimed to bring together key stakeholders in the film, video and music industry to interrelate, interchange ideas and seek solutions to the principal challenges affecting the industry. This will go a long way to show that President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to do business with stakeholders because he is very keen and interested in the creative industry; thus all hands must be on deck to improve on the achievement.”

Mr. Tunde Kelani, Chairman NFVCB in a Group Photograph at the workshop

In his introductory address, Alhaji Adedayo said fulfilling the board’s directive is an indispensable mission as practitioners and stakeholders violate the NFVCB’s classification Act, and that is very detrimental to the viewing public and society in general. “This workshop is aimed to bring together key stakeholders in the film, video and music industry to interrelate, interchange ideas and seek solutions to the principal challenges affecting the industry. This will go a long way to show that President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to do business with stakeholders because he is very keen and interested in the creative industry; thus all hands must be on deck to improve on the achievement.”

The NFVCB boss affirmed strongly that the uniqueness of the workshop can be cherished from the confirmation of the participants because “This is the first time in the history of the NFVCB that filmmakers, stakeholders, and the security agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, DSS, NDLEA, EFCC, ICPC, and NSCDA will be sitting down together to collectively decide and deliberate on the sanitization and sensitization of the entertainment industry. There is a need for the NFVCB to step up its game in order to combat this menace and rid the market of anything unwholesome and unclassified as well as ensure that its various licensees play by the rules.” He went on to divulge that, “It was the desire for compliance that made me, shortly after assumption of office last year, to personally lead enforcement team into the notorious Alaba market where we made a lot of seizures of unclassified and unapproved movies.”

L-R- Leo Omoseebi, Alhaji Thomas & Joy Akinyemi

Representing the Ogun state Commissioner of Police, DCP Ayodeji Ogundele, pronounced his enchantment for the Nigerian Police Force to be part of the historic workshop as a contributor to the Nigerian creative industry and anticipate for a bigger task ahead. He guaranteed Police assistance in combating the defect of unclassified and uncensored films and videos. He said, “ There has been a collaboration between the NFVCB and the Nigerian Police Force, and that synergy has resulted in the massive arrest of criminals and defaulters in the industry; especially in 2017 and 2018 where a milestone was recorded.”

A Cross-Section of The Workshop

Furthermore, Adebayo Salami, famously known as Oga Bello saluted and commended the altruistic dynamisms by NFVCB for the productive exchange of ideas regarding sanitizing the industry. He said, “We are going to give the Executive Director and the Board maximum support to achieve its plans and objectives ”,

The first day of the workshop saw participants assigned into four groups with chairmen appointed by members of each group to explore and deliberate on topical security issues; data and information gathering, strategic approach to field operation and security perspectives and intelligence gathering for effective field operation bothering on classification,  censorship, enforcement, compliance, import and export of films and videos in Nigeria.

L-R-Pere Odon, Fred Amata, Uche Agbo & Victor Emeghara

A high-point of the workshop was the arrival of movie veteran, ace cinematographer/director and Chairman, Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Tunde Kelani who addressed participants and stakeholders on how excited he was about the workshop and said, “Such gathering should be consistent. I thank every association and organization that has come together to protect the interest of our industry because this is about our country and the stakeholders”. 

Alhaji Adedayo also used the platform to inform the general public that, “This goes a long way to tell the world that there is no conflict between the Chairman and the Executive Director; and the full staff of NFVCB, including the stakeholders who are gathered here for this workshop. This is a wonderful outing."

L-R-Foster Ojehonmon, Fred Amata, Ralph Nwadike

On the third day of the event, facilitators of each group did presentations and submitted copies of their final drafts to the NFVCB to reach a common understanding of the contents of the draft policy thus to increase stakeholders knowledge of key provision and durable solution principles and to develop a strategy to advocate for adoption and implementation of the draft instrument.

Mr. Adedayo thanked participants and stakeholders for bestowing their time and deserting appointments to attend the workshop. He upheld the workshop is going to expose participants to the new and modern industry developments in compliance and enforcement practices around the globe, and therefore serve as a capacity-building between the NFVCB staff and stakeholders on issues of compliance and enforcement by engendering a manual on problems concerning monitoring, project the dexterities and expertise of the prosecution officers, and also have an authenticated working document for the Nigerian film and video industry. 

A Cross Section Of The Workshop

He declared that the proposed documents by the four groups will be integrated into a tactical action plan towards strategy documents on the issues under review to the National Assembly through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed for ratification.

Participants at the workshop were thrilled, motivated and openly threw encomiums at the NFVCB boss, describing him as a far-sighted and preemptive individual with high distinctive mental and moral qualities.

The workshop was warmly embraced by over 120 participants and stakeholders from diverse professions, members of security organizations, Nollywood guilds and associations, staff of the NFVCB across all zones and states, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Immigrations Service (NIS), Department of State Services (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). 

(L-R) Pere, Prof. Azeez, Keppy Ekpeyong, Uche, Fred Amata

In attendance were veteran Mr. Tunde Kelani, Chairman, Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Fred Amata, President, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Mr. Ralph Nwadike, President, Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Mrs. Chioma Azosiri (AS) Intellectual Property Rights Officer (NIS), Mrs. Joy Akinyemi, Lagos Chairperson, Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN), Mr. Adebayo Salami, aka Oga Bello, Mr. Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Board Member (NFVCB), Mr. Foster Ojehonmon, Vice President (AMP), Mr. Hakeem Lasisi (EFCC), Prof. Adetunji Azeez (LASU), Mr. Benson Akinseye, Board Member (NFVCB), Mr. Niji Akanni, Mr. Clement Ogbo (NFVCB, Lagos), and Mr. Adewale Adeoye, aka Elesho.

Other notable stakeholders are Tunji Ojetola, Uchenna Agbo, National Secretary (DGN), Leo Omoseebi, PRO (CDGN), Perekeme Odon, PRO (DGN), Mark Akhuetie,   St. Paul Maradona Mikevine (AGN), Victor, Emaghara (DGN), Tunji Ojetola, Aborishade S. Femi, Richard Bello, Bigdeal Omoruyi, Mr. Victor Akande and Mr. Abdulrazak M. Jimoh (NFVCB, Kano) among others.

(l-r)Fred Amata, Keppy Ekpeyong, Mrs. Joy Osawaru-Akinyemi & Leo Omoseebi

    

   The Banner

NFVCB Chairman, Mr. Tunde Kelani Addressing Participants

Mrs. Chioma (NIS, Abuja (M) and Mrs. Joy Akinyemi (R)

CDGN Lagos Chairperson, Mrs. Joy Akinyemi & Mrs. Bola Artha. NFVCB

L-R-Joy Akinyemi, Chairperson, CDGN, Lagos state & Adebayo Salami

L-R- Mr. Perekeme Odon (PRO, DGN) & Mr. Victor Akande (The Nation)

L-R- Mr. Perekeme Odon & Kemi D Diva Adekomi (UniLag FM)

A Cross-Section of Participants

L-R- St. Paul Maradona Mikevine, Victor Emeghara & Adewale Adeoye Elesho

L-R- Mr. Tunde Kelani, Board Chairman NFVCB & Perekeme Odon (DGN)

L-R- DGN PRO, Perekeme OdonMr. Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey (Board Member, NFVCB)

Kemi D' Diva (UniLag FM) & Fred Amata

AMP President, Mr. Ralph Nwadike & Aishat Abiola (NFVCB)

Mr. Abdulrazak J. Jimoh (NFVCB, Kano)

Mr. Fred Amata Deliberating With His Group

Keppy Ekpeyong, Ayoka, ^ Aishat Abiola (NFVCB, Lagos)

(L-R) Kabir (NFVCB, Sokoto, Abdul Jimoh & Perekeme Odon

Mr. Nwodo (NFVCB, Onitsha) & Mr. Clement Ogbo (NFVCB, Lagos)

(L-R) Uchenna Agbo, National Secretary (DGN) & Perekeme Odon, PRO (DGN)

(L-R) Mark Akhuetie, St. Paul Mikevive and Perekeme Odon

Leo Omoseebi & Perekeme Odon

 

Participants At The Workshop

(L-R) Mrs. Bola Artha and Mr. Nwodo 

 

'The Monitor' Premieres On Africa Magic Urban

By Perekeme Odon

Godspower Eazzy Ologe

There has been much anticipation about the film, 'The Monitor' and people from all quarters are very eager to witness the film, hence the grand premiere is to be hosted at 5pm today August 27, 2018 on the stable of Africa Magic Urban (Dstv Channel 153).

The movie which feature Nollywood great Keppy Ekpeyong,  Bolanle Ninolowo, Felix Omokhodion, and also introducing Cassandra Rowland is mind blowing as marketers nationwide are scrambling to have a slice of the action after it was screened two months ago in Surulere, Lagos.

However, for viewers to catch a full glimpse of the movie, tune in to African Magic Urban and catch the latest Nollywood movie in town. Wish you all the best as you watch this life transforming movie with great cast.

Bolanle Ninolowo and Eazzy

'The Monitor', produced and directed by Delta state born filmmaker and director Godspower Eazzy Ologe is a real life dramatic and intriguing story drawn from our day-to-day life style occurrences in our society. Eazzy as he is popularly called started from the ranks and files of filmmaking in 2005 as a production assistant and later trained to be a script supervisor in charge of movie continuities in the Nigerian film industry tagged Nollywood. 

Cassandra Rowland

His continuity works includes 'Dating Games' produced by Chico Ejiro, 'Searching For Husband and 'Stop' produced and directed by Damijo Efe Young. He is also the assistant director of 'Black Cat Angels', & many more. Eazzy is a member of the Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN).

(L-R) eazzy, Cassandra Rowland and Bolanle Ninolowo

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT EMBRACES NOLLYINSURED INITIATIVE

By Perekeme Odon

A milestone was initiated on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, when a delegation from NollyINSURED INITIATIVE paid a courtesy visit to the Hon. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture; Mr. Steve Ayorinde at his Alausa office.

Leading the delegation, Mr Fred Amata, the Chairman of the Governing Board and President, Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN) thanked the Hon. Commissioner and his team for the warm reception. He enlightened the commissioner the reason and concept behind the initiative; NollyINSURED which was launched on July 13, 2017 and started operation on February 5, 2018 for the benefit of the creative industry practitioners.

L-R: Mr Fola Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Aramide Giwanson, Special Adviser, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture and Mr. Fred Amata, President, Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN)

Speaking further, Mr. Amata said “NollyINSURED was created to provide quality and affordable healthcare, life / general insurance and pension for creative practitioners across boundaries in Nigeria. So it is in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of NollyINSURED that the delegation decided to pay a visit, seeking full support and participation of the government of Lagos State”.

Mr Amata sought the government's assistance in legislating a law that provides for protection of practitioners through a robust welfare scheme, making it mandatory that every production practitioner (television, film, radio, theatre) provides the needed health insurance package for cast and crew.

Mr. Mathias Obahiagbon Addressing The Sextion

The Hon. Commissioner, Mr. Steve Ayorinde expressed his appreciation that some of the sections in the creative industry could set aside their ego and usual bickering to establish such laudable concept like the NollyINSURED INITIATIVE.

L-R: Mr Fola Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Aramide Giwanson, Special Adviser, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fred Amata, President, Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture and Mr. Matthias Obahiagbon; Executive Secretary (NollyINSURED INITIATIVE)

The Hon. Commissioner made a firm statement to say “the government will support such progressively inclusive initiative of the creative industry, hoping that as many others as possible should be a part of the scheme”. He furthermore requested to have details of the event once a new date has been fixed after the sudden postponement of the earlier scheduled NollyINSURED week due to the forthcoming Sallah holiday.

In attendance with the Hon. Commissioner at the meeting are; Mr Fola Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Aramide Giwanson, Special Adviser, Arts and Culture and other government personnel.

Members of the NollyINSURED delegation are: Yinka Oduniyi; President (ITPAN), Emeka Aduah; Chairman (FVPMAN Lagos State) and his Secretary; Anthony, Ms. Ngozi Ogbonna; President (AVOA), Chimobi Nwosu; National Secretary (CSN) Makinde Adeniran, Chairman (NANTAP Lagos State), Uzo Okafor (Leadway Pensure) and Matthias Obahiagbon; Executive Secretary (NollyINSURED INITIATIVE

PRESIDENT FRED AMATA CHARGES MEMBERS TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN STANDARDS

By Perekeme Odon

The President of the Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Mr. Fred Amata arrived Edo State via the Benin airport to his hotel in the early hours on Sunday evening, and without much ado, he went into the business of the day.

(L-R) Mr. Fred Amata, DGN President & Mr. Davidson Izegaegbe, DGN Edo State Coordinator

While welcoming the President to Edo State, the coordinator Mr. Davidson Izegaegbe stated that the arrival of the President was timely and most important in view of the progressive agenda put at the floor for discussion.

Billy King set the ball rolling by reviewing what steps could be taken to make other states DGN members be actively involved in the mainstream of NOLLYWOOD activities.

The President, Mr. Fred Amata said that Nollywood is bigger than we think or visualize because the business of filmmaking is beyond a locale hence the need  to constantly ennoble the DGN whenever the tools of filmmaking is at our reach. He assured that with the work on the various locations in Edo State, mainstream Nollywood seem to be in Benin now. He stressed that the structure on the ground in Benin will take everyone by storm.

He said further that our prestigious guild is very far from where it started and almost getting near where we are heading, sighting teething problems as springboard for writing the page of success in the book of history.

In addition, the Benin Zonal Coordinator, Davidson Izegaegbe said that part of the teething problems before now was information disseminations which somehow made "hoarding of information" key to making progress slow but for the internet which has made the world a global village, with preproduction, production and post production dynamics now at our finger tips.

Mr. Peddie Okao a producer/director of repute also buttresses his point by referring the DGN President to an industry blueprint/template developed by Edo State to stir the ship of our filmmaking business to glory.  He talked on aspects that have taken care of distribution, marketing, film village for practitioners, guilds/associations structures, and the need for our indigenes in diasporas who are into filmmaking to take advantage of the vast opportunity for investment in the film industry.

He furthermore advised on the need for DGN members to put in their best in every production irrespective of the language or locale it is shot since filmmaking cuts across language barriers. He concludes that Edo will soon be the much desired Nollywood destination. 

In conclusion, the President expressed his joy in seeing that the Benin Zone is well organised and focused in articulating the policies of the DGN executives and the industry in general. He enjoined all to always maintain the standard of DGN and remain good ambassadors of this guild of honour.

The President was later ushered into a film premier room at the ISNO Hotel , and taken to a location where a film shoot by Billy Kings was holding, and was later hosted by the management of Hexagon Entertainment Center in the heart of Benin.

The 4-day visit to Benin Zone by the President, which commenced on Sunday August 5 to Wednesday August 8 2018, is one of very many to happen within the year as already scheduled by the Zonal Chapter of the DGN in Edo State.

In his address to the new appointees, the President, Fred Amata, congratulated the Coordinator, Davidson Izegaegbe and the Secretary Johnbull Negbenebor, and thereafter tasked them to uphold the tenets of the guild.

The President also seized the opportunity to congratulate all the newly appointed committee members, Zonal coordinators and Secretaries. He enjoined all to see the task of building the guild as a duty that must be done. He reminded the guild that as custodian of the film art of Nigeria the prestige and integrity of the guild should be made manifest through their dedication and commitment.

The President said he was happy with the role played by Benin Zone members in creating the Movie Industry template for filmmakers in Edo State, and said that his visit to the Zone is one of many to come help sustain a viable movie industry in the State.