Some Civil Society Organisations, have made case for the retention of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) as an independent regulatory agency, as the Federal Government make moves to merge some of its agencies having duplicating functions.
The groups presented their requests at the resumed hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on the Restructuring of Federal Agencies and Commissions on Tuesday.
Representing Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Zikora Ibeh said the group had reservations on merging the NFVCV with other agencies, pointing out that Nollywood which is under the full regulation of the agency is too big to be subjected under a mere department in an agency.
According to her, such bodies all over the world are interdependent because they regulate the film industry, which is one of the greatest contributors to national economies. “The NFVCB has generated expertise over the years, so it is our observation that it should not be merged with other agencies”, she stated.
Also in its submissions, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance, observed that with the rate at which skit makers are emerging daily in Nigeria, it was rather time to strengthen the NFVCB, stressing that it is the opinion of the organisation that smoking scenes should be controlled in movies and skits.
Programme Manager of the organisation, Chibuike Nwokorie said “we are working to see that our screens are free from smoking scenes”, he said, adding that NFVCB as an agency should control them, and not to need to be merged.
He said in an average of every three minutes, skit makers are uploading videos, noting that there was need for an independent agency like the NFVCB to be in charge.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which also made appearance called for better and sustained funding of the senior secondary education
Legal Director of the Union, Okorafor Okechukwu said the call was necessary, as according to him, it is at that level where decision of career is made in the life of students, and that “NUT want the best for Nigeria”.
Chairman of the Committee, Ishiaka Ayokunle however observed that with the current system of secondary education (Basic/JSS, and SS), each school usually have two principals in the same school, appealing that “let us reason together”.
Other agencies which the committee met behind closed doors were the National Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA), Nigeria Export Promotion Council, and the Free Trade Zones Authority.
