Lagos warns filmmakers against vulgarity, negative portrayal of Africa

The Lagos government has warned filmmakers against using obscenities, vulgar speech, scenes of excessive violence, and negative African stereotypes in movies to guide against societal degradation.

According to NAN, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, the state commissioner for tourism, arts, and culture, spoke on Tuesday during a stakeholder’s conference organised by the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB).

The meeting was themed “Content Development as a Driver for Sustainable Growth in Film and Video Industry’’.

Akinbile-Yusuf said filmmakers must design measures to eliminate dysfunctional content and exhibit positive values for a better society.

“It is noteworthy to say that obscenity, vulgar languages, scenes of excessive violence, and negative Africa stereotype seem to be the order of the day which forms a major platform of societal degradation,” she said.

“The need to come together and agree on ways best to eliminate such dysfunctional contents and exhibit positive values for a better society is necessary.

“The time is now to break off from indecent contents devoid of moral values and imbibe our rich African culture and heritage to the film industry.”

Akinbile-Yusuf said her statement is a deliberate call to improve the standard of delivery and enhance the industry.

She said, as the economic hub of the nation, Lagos must transform the entertainment industry in line with global best practices.

“We must strive at sustaining a significant value chain that will better the lot of the industry,’’ she added.

The commissioner said content development has taken a notable percentage in the scheme of things globally.

She also disclosed that Lagos state would not lay back or shrink in its responsibility to harness an all-inclusive possibility of propelling and encouraging its full integration.

Akinbile-Yusuf said the state had partnered with Ebonylife academy and Delyork Creative academy to train interested individuals in the creative industry on standard and content delivery of film production.

“There are well thought out interest-free intervention funds especially for the film industry that will help mitigate some of the challenges facing the industry,” she added.

“Entertainment and film industry is the media influencers and movie production is a daunting endeavour that requires a high level of physical and mental research.

“Let us work together to ensure the society becomes a better place to live.”