The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has released a press statement following the callouts from the Muslim community over an upcoming Nollywood movie which features Nancy Isime.
Kemi Filani reported that days back, Nancy had, via her Instagram page, promoted her upcoming project. In photos she posted online, the talented movie star was captured wearing a niqab and holding a gun in some of the photos and another photo, she was captured with her cast members, one of whom wore hijab for a robbery scene.
Not pleased with the photos, a Muslim lady via her TikTok page lashed out at the actress for disrespecting her, her religion and everything that she represents. She educated the movie star on what Niqab represents and why it shouldn’t be used as a costume to promote despicable things in society. The lady expressed how sick and tired she was of people who do not share the same values, using their outfits for their selfish interests.
Addressing the issue in a press statement on their official Instagram page, the board stated that the movie hasn’t been released, nor has it been submitted to them by law and their mandate. However, they have been able to reach the film’s producers and have taken steps to address the concerns raised by the producers.
The board restate that as a classification agency, they will not overlook any film or video works, including dramatised short constants (skits) that abuse, denigrate or undermine religious, cultural and ethnic sensibilities.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the statutory regulatory agency for film and video works as well as exhibition and distribution in Nigeria, has received complaints about an upcoming Nigerian movie that associated the Hijab, an outfit attributed to Muslim women that symbolises respect, modesty and religious devotion, with negative moral vices.
Our check revealed that the movie has not been released, and it has not been submitted to the NFVCB for classification as required by law and our mandate.
However, we have been able to reach the film’s producers and have taken steps to address the concerns raised by the producers.
We restate that as a classification agency, the NFVCB will not overlook any film or video works, including dramatised short content (skits) that abuse, denigrate, or undermine religious, cultural and ethnic sensibilities.
We commit to contributing to the positive transformation of the Nigerian society through classification of films and video works whilst balancing the need to preserve freedom of expression within the law and limit social, cultural and religious harm caused by films”.
Nancy Isime, hours ago, also reacted to the backlash in her Instagram post, where she noted how she is always out of the way and in her world with no drama or gossip and is only focused on chasing her goals and money.
The movie star, who prioritises her peace, noted how she doesn’t bother anybody, nor is she bothered by anybody, and to protect her peace, she stopped taking other people’s projected opinions personally.
