Lagos Govt Cautions Filmmakers Against Obscenity, Vulgar Language

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.