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Film, video censors board vows to root out pirates

By Kehinde Olatunji
22 August 2017   |   3:25 am
The latest enforcement drive embarked upon by the task force of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to rid creative industry of pirated and unlicensed works has begun to yield positive result.

The raid, which was carried out at Alaba International Market, according to Alhaji Thomas, “is the first in the series of national enforcement efforts against unclassified, unapproved films, a well as those operating unlicensed film and video distribution and exhibition businesses.” PHOTO CREDIT: mikaelfunke.se

‘It is a crime against national economy’

The latest enforcement drive embarked upon by the task force of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to rid creative industry of pirated and unlicensed works has begun to yield positive result.

The Executive Director of NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas dropped this hint yesterday in Lagos at a briefing that attracted stakeholders in the movie industry such as, Chief Eddy Ugbomah, Saint Obi, Yinka Ogundaisi, Gab Okoye (Gabosky), Funke Akindele, Emeka Aduah, Jeta Amata and others.

The raid, which was carried out at Alaba International Market, according to Alhaji Thomas, “is the first in the series of national enforcement efforts against unclassified, unapproved films, a well as those operating unlicensed film and video distribution and exhibition businesses.”

He added: “This is a subtle signal to persons distributing unclassified film and video works, persons distributing film and video works not registered for distribution in Nigeria, persons operating film and video distribution business without appropriate licenses, persons distributing film and video works in premises not licensed and all persons profiting from the sweat of film and video creatives without proper right assignment that they should find other business, as the Board, under my watch, will not rest until we get rid of them from our industry.”

While commending the support his agency has been receiving from industry practitioners, the NFVCB boss promised that the enforcement would be sustained until the industry is sanitised completely.

“The result you are witnessing today is the fruit of the effort of that task force. In five days, it was able to remove from Alaba International Market, film and video works not classified nor approved for distribution in Nigeria from the premises not licensed or being operated by persons not licensed to carry out the film and video business in Nigeria. The task force was able to remove film and video works with estimated market value of N50 Million.”

Describing piracy as crime against national economy, Thomas expressed delight that consolidated forces are behind the current efforts. “The Film industry is a subset of the Creative Industry, this enforcement by NFVCB National task force, therefore, relied on the collaboration platform created by the Ministerial taskforce to curb piracy with police to achieve what we have been able to achieve this far while looking forward to future enforcements with enthusiasm base on the success of this enforcement drive,” he said.

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