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FG Bans Money Ritual, Smoking Scenes In Nollywood Films

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The Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and the glamorising of vices in Nigerian films.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Shaibu Husseini disclosed this at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday.

The event was organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa.

Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at the event.

Husseini said that today, we are facing an industry emergency requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders.

“When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed on the need to make a subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he saw the need to include money rituals.

“Others included in the regulation are ritual killings and glamorising other crimes to further sanitise the film industry.

“Today, I am delighted to announce to you that the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, pursuant to section 65 of the NFVCB Act 2004 has approved the regulation.

“The minister has approved the Prohibition of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Nicotine Product Promotion and Glamorisation display in Movies, Musical Videos and Skits” Regulations 2024.”

“We have also forwarded the approved copy to the Federal Ministry of Justice for Gazette,” he said.

Husseini said the sensitisation programme was to educate stakeholders on the danger inherent in the consummation of smoking in Nigerian movies.

According to him, besides the health implications, glamorising smoking in films poses a negative influence on teens and young adults who constitute the largest segment of Nigerian movie viewers.

He said that the board was set to undertake detailed enlightenment programmes in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith groups and other institutions.

“As you all know, the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector, and we must continue to place the highest premium on the progress of the film industry.

“The NFVCB supports smoke-free movies and smoke-free Nollywood, and we, therefore, seek your collaboration to develop creative content that discourages smoking and promotes positive health messages.

“After a series of engagements, the NFVCB in collaboration with the CAPPA decided to do a ‘subsidiary regulations’ to cater for smoking in movies since this aspect was not expressly spelt out in the extant Law.

“The NFVCB is well prepared to take leadership in this regard and has planned and begun implementing innovative ways to achieve its mandate,” he said

NAN reports that the Board must register all film and video outlets across the country, and keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions.

NAN

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Simi Welcomes Second Child With Adekunle Gold

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Popular Nigerian music star, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has welcomed her second child with her husband, singer Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold.

She shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday evening.

In her post, Simi revealed that the baby was born on March 10, 2026.

She posted maternity photos and addressed earlier rumours that she had given birth to twins in January, making it clear that this is her second child.

Simi referred to herself as “mommy of two,” while Adekunle Gold responded in the comments, calling himself “Daddy of two.”

She wrote, “+1. 3.10.26. God bless my little family. Mommyof2.”

The couple did not disclose the baby’s name or gender.

 

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Bill Cosby Ordered To Pay $19m Over Sex Abuse Case

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A woman who said she was drugged and sexually assaulted by veteran US entertainer Bill Cosby was awarded more than $19 million on Monday after a civil hearing in California.

Donna Motsinger said she was working as a waitress more than 50 years ago when the performer began to target her.

In the civil case decided in Santa Monica, the suit stated that the comedian had initially come into the restaurant where the now-84-year-old Motsinger worked.

According to court filings, one day, when he picked her up in his limousine, Cosby gave her a glass of wine and what she thought was aspirin.

She began slipping in and out of consciousness, and the next thing she knew, she was waking up at home, wearing only her underwear.

“She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby,” the suit said.

Attorneys said Cosby, 88, did not remember any sexual contact with Motsinger, but that any that had occurred had been consensual.

The jury took three days to deliver its verdict, ordering Cosby to pay $19.3 million, a figure that could increase if they add punitive damages.

The case was heard in the same courthouse where a 2022 jury ordered Cosby to pay $500,000 in damages to Judy Huth after finding that he had molested her in 1975 when she was just 16 years old.

The man formerly known as “America’s Dad” was jailed in Pennsylvania for drugging and molesting a woman in a separate criminal case in 2018, but was freed in 2021 when his conviction was overturned on a technicality.

Cosby was a towering figure in late 20th-century American popular culture, including for his starring role in “The Cosby Show,” which ran from 1984 to 1992.

Dozens of women have accused Cosby of being a calculating, serial predator who plied victims with sedatives and alcohol before assaulting them over four decades.

AFP

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Funke Akindele’s Record-Breaking “Behind The Scenes” Hits Netflix On April 3

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Funke Akindele’s blockbuster film, which broke box office records in West Africa, will premiere on Netflix on April 3.

This follows a successful theatrical run that grossed over N2.7 billion, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.

The film’s streaming debut marks Akindele’s return to Netflix since “Omo Ghetto: The Saga”, highlighting her consistent cinema-first approach and record-breaking annual December releases.

“Behind The Scenes” features an ensemble cast, including Scarlet Gomez, Uzor Arukwe, and Tobi Bakre, and explores themes of generosity, family, and personal responsibility.

Produced by Akindele and Wendy Uwadiae Imasuen, the film’s success extends beyond Nigeria, with notable performances in the UK, Ireland, North America, and Canada.

It became the first Nollywood film to cross the N2 billion mark and achieved N512 million within its first 12 days.

The film’s distributor, Filmone, announced its Netflix premiere, stating, “From shattering box office records to streaming in YOUR HOME and on the go! The record-breaking title, Behind The Scenes, is coming to you on NETFLIX.

“After shattering records with over 2.7 billion at the Box Office, Behind The Scenes will be available for streaming from April 3rd. Watch Behind The Scenes on Netflix from April 3rd”.

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