The documentary Fuelling Poverty, described as a national threat by the Nigerian government, received industry acclaim when it got nominated for the 2013 African Movie Academy Award, AMAA, in Malawi.
On March 15, barely 25 days to the ban as announced by the Nigeria Film and Video Censor Board, NFVCB, fuelling poverty, a documentary made by Ishaya Bako, was announced amidst pomp, one of the best made documentary for the year 2013.
AMAA, a highly competitive and arguably the most important African film event and awards, nominated Mr. Bako’s documentary, in accordance with its core values of professionalism, excellence, integrity and passion.
These values, the NFVCB apparently considered “highly provocative and likely to incite or encourage public disorder and undermine national security” as it banned the airing and distribution of the film.
The NFVCB, in a letter dated April 8, warned Mr. Bako to desist from distributing his film. A move, described as anti- democratic and a descent into the Gestapo style clamping of the media during the military regime.
In a twist of event, though, the film which was already on YouTube, a video sharing website, garnered more viewing than would have been possible had the ban not been announced.
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