Victor EzejaExecutive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), to work towards stopping the production of videos that inadvertently encourage certain criminal acts in the country.
The EFCC chairman specifically, urged the Board to continually work against glamourisation of internet fraud and the mutilation of currencies in films and movies meant for the public.
According to a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Mr Olukoyede made the call when the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr. Shuaibu Hussaini, and his team paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.
According to him, films, videos and movies are meant to promote good moral standards and encourage accountable conduct in society and the NFVCB should step up its censorship roles to achieve this. “We believe we have the right partner with you. Films and videos are meant to promote good moral standards. Your Board should continue to discourage glamourisation of crimes in the film industry,” he said.
He charged the Board to team up with the Commission in fighting corrupt practices, maintaining that, “ the work of fighting corruption is for all of us.” He particularly frowned at undue demonization of the EFCC by skit makers through false characterization of the works of the Commission. “There are several skits flying around with an untrue portrayal of the EFCC and its officers. The NFVCB should look into this and stop such unprofessional practices,” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Hussaini said the Board was in the EFCC to seek robust collaboration with the Commission. He also said that the Board was working hard against the glamorization of crimes in films and videos.
“We are trying as much as possible to discourage the glamourization of crimes in our movies. We are also trying to eliminate all those things movie makers are putting in their works that will make young people jump into schemes that are criminal in real life. In doing this, we are starting from script writers, then the producers because the producers are the ones who supervise the contents,” he said.
He frowned at the activities of skit makers discrediting the works of the EFCC by creating content that does not reflect the real operations of the Commission and called for more enlightenment of Nigerians to support the EFCC. “ We are not only editing films but also enlightening the people. Crimes are damaging to the society. The NFVCB will continue its strategic collaboration with the EFCC to achieve its mandate,” he said.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
