By Christiana Ekpa
Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have urged the Federal Government to retain the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) as an independent regulatory agency, amidst plans to merge some agencies with duplicating functions.
The groups made their submissions at the House of Representatives Committee on the Restructuring of Federal Agencies and Commissions. They argued that the NFVCB has generated expertise over the years and should not be merged with other agencies.
Representing Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Zikora Ibeh noted that Nollywood, which is under the full regulation of the NFVCB, is too big to be subjected to a mere department in an agency. She emphasized that film regulatory bodies worldwide are independent because they regulate the film industry, a significant contributor to national economies.
The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance also submitted that with the increasing number of skit makers, it is essential to strengthen the NFVCB to control smoking scenes in movies and skits. Programme Manager Chibuike Nwokorie stated that the organisation aims to ensure that screens are free from smoking scenes, and an independent agency like the NFVCB should be in charge.
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