Tag: Patricia Bala

THE Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Ms. Patricia Bala, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), M.D Abubakar, to provide a special police unit at the Abuja headquarters of the Board.

Bala, who made this plea during a courtesy call on Abubakar at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja said, “The Police unit will enhance the operational, monitoring and intelligence activities of the NFVCB in the course of carrying out its mandate of regulating the film and video industry in the country.”

The NFVCB boss had earlier called for collaboration between the Board and the Nigeria Police for effective monitoring, enforcement and prosecution of defaulters in the six zonal offices of the Board across the country.

Bala has often lamented the influx of uncensored and illegal movies in the Nigerian market. According to her, “We decided to come to your organization so that we can work together because we don’t have the materials for enforcement. But you have all it takes to enforce the law. So, we need to collaborate to enforce because what goes out there can affect national security. Film is entertainment with educational value, but it can be very explosive,” she explained.

Abubakar, who expressed worry about the contents of some Nollywood films, pledged his unalloyed support for the film agency, saying: “Let’s go beyond paper and work as a team. Let us have a partnership that works.”

He, however, urged Bala to create more awareness on the Board’s regulations to the public, saying this would enable people to respect the laws.

Bala’s visit is part of her efforts to re-position the Board towards a better service delivery.

Recently, the NFVCB called for partnership with courts in Abuja to ensure that prosecution of offenders is done without delay.

At a meeting with the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Hon. I.M. Bukar, Bala had also asked for the setting up of a mobile court.

IN a renewed crack-down on illegal filmmakers, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has given filmmakers in Benue State a three-month ultimatum to withdraw all uncensored movies from the market or face the wrath of the law.

Director-General of the Board, Ms. Patricia Bala, sounded this warning at the

end of a three-day Road Show which held recently in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital.

The NFVCB boss said she “observed with dismay the profusion of illegal movies in Makurdi, most especially the wrong usage of the long obsolete logo and classification symbols of the Board.”

She said during the interactive session with filmmaker and actors at the Joseph Tarka Foundation that “the ultimatum expires in March 2014, stating that it is in the interest of the movie makers to either withdraw the movies from the market or present them to the Board for the formal censorship and classification.

On what action the NFVCB is taking to track down film producers who stream uncensored movies on the internet, the Director-General said the Board has been collaborating with sister agencies to contend the situation.

According to her, “Regulating online distribution of films presents an enormous challenge because of the nature of the internet. Internet activities cut across territorial boundaries and as such it is difficult to regulate even for developed nations that have a greater degree of technology. However, the NFVCB, will synergise with relevant authorities with a view to curbing the distribution of unapproved films”.

The Road Show began with a four-hour rally in tree-lined Makurdi metropolis from the sprawling J.S. Tarka Foundation through High Level, Wadata, Government House, Wurukum, Gboko Road and North Bank Street. Staff of the Board, backed by Tar Ukoh’s Mambissa dance troupe positioned on two trucks, trekked the long distance, distributing hand bills and flyers bearing enlightening literature on the

Board’s activities.

Several papers were presented, while locally-produced films were screened during the Road Show.

The programme was chaired by Professor Illah Egwugwu Sani of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Jos (UNIJOS), who delivered a paper on “Indigenous Language Movies and Contemporary Challenges”. Other papers presented are: “Film Censorship and Classification Regulation and Compliance” by Mrs. Lizzy Uwaezuoke, FCAI, Zonal Co-ordinator, (South-East), NFVCB; Dr. Adekola Okloba, Theatre Arts Department, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) on “Ethics and Values of Indigenous Language in Nigerian Film and Video Production”; Danjuma .W. Dadu, Ph.D, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Jos, on “Film and Movie Production: Ethics, Values and Cultural Influence” ; Dr Teddy Hanmakyugh, National Film Institute, Jos, on “Appreciating the Technical Environment in Film/Video Production; a sine qua non for quality production”; and Mr. Cornel .A. Agim, former DD (LDD) now DD(Ops) NFVCB, on Distribution and Marketing of movies “Rights, Obligation and Regulations”.