Leadership (Abuja)
Mansur Sani Malam
24 September 2007
Kano State Censorship Board has extended the suspension earlier imposed on film production in the state from Three to six months, effective 13 August, 2007 to 21 February, 2008, just as it reeled out new restrictive measures to check the film industry.
It would be recalled that recently, the Board under its former executive secretary, Alhaji A.A. Kurawa, imposed a three-month suspension after a sex video clip of a popular actress, Maryam Hiyana, went public, which caused a serious embarrassment to the industry.
Addressing a press briefing on Friday, the new executive secretary of the board, Malam Abubakar Rabo Abdulkarim, explained that the extension of the suspension became necessary in order to enable his administration introduce new measures for the improvement of film production in the state, adding that the policy would be vigorously monitored by the board to ensure stringent penalties for defaulters.
Rabo stated that the board has created additional guidelines for registration of production companies, artistes, internet cafes, publishers and authors. According to the new laws, production companies must have a minimum of N2.5 million as working capital, which would be proved from the bank statement of the company; all members of the production crew shall also have a minimum qualification of a diploma or certificate in a related field from a recognised institution. The board would now censor films on CDs and VHS cassettes and all films marketed in the state, and artists are now categorised into three, with respective minimum qualifications.
Rabo revealed that the board has cancelled singing and dancing of any kind in Hausa films, and no producer would be allowed to go to location for filming without his script being approved by a recognised consultant and vetted by the board.
Also, the board has reviewed the issue of marketing of films in the state, especially in the area of marketer-producer relationship.
Members of the Kano State Association of Printers have also been advised to make sure that before they print any book or poster meant for public use they must obtain a clearance from the board.
Rabo explained that the board has approved requirements for establishing a film production studio in the state, which include a set of computer, pinnacle editing system, monitors, AVC/VCR player, digital camera ( HD camera with accessories), two sets of earphones and microphones, tripod and crane, professional lights and reel.
He called on proprietors of film production companies that are registered with the board to come forward for revalidation of their registration on or before November 30, 2007 and must fulfill the requirements stipulated by the law of film production.
Meanwhile, according to the executive secretary, stakeholders of literary works such as authors, publishers, bookshops, poster sellers, distributors and vendors are expected to register with the board in compliance with the requirements of the Censorship Board Law 2001.
"A person who therefore exhibits, publishes, sells or distributes, in any manner whatsoever, a literary work without Censorship Board certificate shall be liable to face the wrath of the relevant provision of the Law," he said.
He then called on the stakeholders and the people in the state to support the task force set up by the state government for the purpose of sanitising the industry.
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