The Lagos State Government on Tuesday cautioned filmmakers in the state against obscenity, vulgar language, scenes of excessive violence, and negative African stereotypes in films to guide against societal degradation.

Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, the Lagos State commissioner for tourism, arts and culture, gave the warning during a stakeholder conference organised by the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB) in Lagos.

The theme of the meeting was: “Content Development as a Driver for Sustainable Growth in the Film and Video Industry’’.

Akinbile-Yusuf said that 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.

“They 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,’’ she said.

Akinbile-Yusuf also said that it was a deliberate call to improve the standard of delivery and enhance the industry.

She said that as the economic hub of the nation, we must begin to blaze the trail and seek to transform the entertainment industry in accordance with global best practices.

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

The commissioner said that content development, a process of originating and maintaining content to provide knowledgeable fillings to the generality of the people, had taken a notable percentage in the scheme of things globally.

She said 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 commended the efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ensuring and continuously gearing efforts in bringing the entertainment and film sector to international standards and world best practices.

The Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB) says it plans to reposition the entertainment industry for utmost revenue generation.

Its Executive Secretary, Adebukola Agbaminoja, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos.

Agbaminoja said that repositioning the industry was important to also enable the sector generate enough employment opportunities for the creative talents.

According to her, the LSFVSB stakeholders conference will assist in evaluating ways the industry can be repositioned.

She said the theme of the conference is: “Content Development as a Driver for Sustainable Growth in the Film and Video Industry.”

“The conference is organised in pursuant to the state government’s commitment to reposition the entertainment sector to fulfil its potential as a primary revenue generator and employer of creative talents,” she said.

According to her, the forum will also facilitate the positive collaboration of all stakeholders to chart a way forward for the industry.

She said it was vital for the film and video industry to support the efforts of the present administration in the tourism and entertainment sector.

“Lagos State Government is committed to utilising creative arts of which film and video are germane as tools for economic growth and development in the state.

“We, therefore, must project contents that mirror our desired goals,” Agbaminoja said.

The executive secretary noted that the conference would explore the potential in content delivery as a tool for catalysing indigenous film-making capacity development.

” The Stakeholders’ Conference is a bridge-building initiative to facilitate interaction with stakeholders on content delivery that will improve the industry and socio-economic growth of the state. “

Speakers at the event include Prof. Sola Fosudo, Head of Department, Theatre Arts & Music, Lagos State University; Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chairman, Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria.