The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has established a group to checkmate the increase of unlicensed and unclassified movies in the country.
According to the recently appointed Executive Director of the NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, the reconstituted task force is one of the mandates given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari, aimed at revitalizing the dying dreams of the founding fathers of the Nollywood, whose shear efforts brought the sector to phenomenal limelight, but have so far recorded pains as a result of the sabotaging works of unlicensed movies.
Thomas explained that the policy objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Buhari administration is to increase film production by 15 percent on an annual basis, export videos to generate USD1 billion in foreign exchange by 2020 and improve enforcement of intellectual property rights for artistic works produced in Nigeria.
The need to enforce intellectual property rights in the film industry is expected to help curb illegal activities and revitalize the industry.
“We have therefore selected men and women of impeccable character, cutting across various interests in the industry, thoroughbred professionals who have immensely contributed to the sector, and who know exactly where the shoe pinches,” Thomas added.
Led by Thomas, the task force also includes Eddie Ugboma, Dele Balogun, Igwe Gab Okoye, Hajia Aisha Alilu, Mallam Malik Awah, Saint Obi, Norbert Ajaegbu and Olatunji Ojetola.
The task force is expected to work closely with members of the Police, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other relevant agencies to achieve results.
They are also expected to specifically look into issues regarding proliferation of unclassified or unapproved movies, Influx of foreign movies dubbed in indigenous languages, and movie distribution by unlicensed agents.
In their acceptance remarks, the selected members were unanimous on the need to bring sanity to the film industry.
