NFVCB ADDRESSES USE OF NIQAB FOR ROBBERY IN NANCY ISIME’S UPCOMING MOVIE
Says It'll Not Overlook Any Movie That Abuse Or Undermine Religious, Cultural Sensibilities
By Ajape Sefiu A.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has addressed the criticisms surrounding the upcoming movie directed by actress Nancy Isime for depicting women in veils and Niqabs as armed robbers.
The controversial depiction sparked widespread debate and calls for a ban on the movie.
Isime recently posted pictures from the project on Instagram, showing herself with a gun in her hand and donning a Niqab. She also posted a picture of the actors, three of whom were also wearing Niqobs, during a robbery scene.
A niqab is a long garment worn by Muslim women to cover their entire body and face, excluding their eyes.
The NFVCB, in a statement by Director-General Shaibu Husseini, clarified that the movie has not been released or submitted for classification.
The board has contacted the producers to address the issue, emphasizing its commitment to balancing freedom of expression with the need to prevent harm to religious, cultural, and ethnic sensibilities.
The statement reassures that the NFVCB will take steps to ensure that films and video works do not perpetuate negative stereotypes or offend religious and cultural values.
The statement reads, “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, have received complaints about an upcoming Nigerian movie that associated the Hijab, an outfit attributed to Muslim women that symbolizes 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 producers of the film and have taken steps to address the concerns raised with the producers.
”We restate that as a classification agency, the NFVCB will not overlook any film or video works, including dramatized short contents (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.”
