Author: Jimoh Babatunde

Abuja — The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has received the World Health Organization (WHO) Director‑General’s Special Award for the African Region in recognition of its leadership in tobacco control within entertainment media.
The Board was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by WHO Director‑General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as part of activities marking World No Tobacco Day. NFVCB was the only institution among five winners in the African Region to be honoured.
The award recognises the NFVCB’s 2024 regulations that bar promotion and glamorisation of tobacco and nicotine products in films, music videos, skits and other audiovisual works—especially those likely to reach young audiences. Under the rules, any necessary depiction of tobacco use must carry health warnings, receive the highest classification rating and be restricted to viewers aged 18 and above. Producers are also required to disclose any ties to the tobacco industry, place disclaimers where applicable, and refrain from displaying tobacco brands or using product placement.
Those measures align with Article 13 implementation guidance of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and make Nigeria the first country in Africa — and only the second worldwide — to adopt such comprehensive safeguards against on‑screen glamorisation of tobacco use.
WHO and research evidence note that portrayal of smoking in entertainment normalises the habit and raises the risk of tobacco uptake among young people. The NFVCB said its regulations are intended to curb such exposure while promoting responsible storytelling across Nigeria’s creative sector.
The recognition also supports the eight‑point agenda of the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, which seeks to strengthen policy frameworks, promote responsible creative content and position Nigeria as Africa’s creative capital by 2030.
Reacting to the award, NFVCB Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Shaibu Husseini described the honour as validation of the Board’s efforts to safeguard public health without stifling artistic expression. “This award is a validation of the work we have done with the Nigerian creative industry to promote responsible storytelling. The goal has never been to censor art, but to ensure that our films do not inadvertently market products that are harmful to public health,” he said.
Dr. Husseini pledged continued enforcement of the regulations, expanded public education and deeper collaboration with WHO, the WHO FCTC Secretariat and civil society partners. He also thanked the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, filmmakers, producers and advocacy groups including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), the National Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) and Campaign for Tobacco‑Free Kids (CTFK) for their support.
The NFVCB said it will maintain efforts to protect children and vulnerable audiences while promoting socially responsible content in Nigeria’s booming entertainment industry.

By Tiri Jimoh

Senator Ede Dafinone has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Delta Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections, following his victory at the party’s senatorial primary election.
In his acceptance speech after the exercise held on Monday, Dafinone described the victory as a defining moment for the party and the people of Delta Central, while pledging to work for unity and development across the district.
He commended the conduct of the primary election, saying the process was transparent, peaceful, free and fair.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the exercise demonstrated that democracy remains strong within the APC despite the highly competitive political environment in Delta Central.
Dafinone expressed appreciation to Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State and leader of the APC in the state, for what he described as his commitment to the unity and stability of the party.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing leadership that continues to inspire confidence in the nation’s democracy.
The senator further appreciated the APC National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee and the APC National Assembly Primary Committee for ensuring a credible process.
Dafinone disclosed that he secured 116,252 votes across the eight local government areas of Delta Central, saying the outcome reflected the confidence of party members in his leadership and vision for the district.
He also praised members of the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, including the Collation Officer, Hon. Dr. Okiemute E. Benjamin, the committee secretary, Barr. Nusa Amagbor, and committee member Abimbola Samuel Dart, for their professionalism during the exercise.
Extending an olive branch to former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Dafinone urged all aggrieved members and supporters to close ranks and work together for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections.
He stressed that the task ahead goes beyond personal ambition, noting that the people of Delta Central expect leadership, development, empowerment, security, economic growth and effective representation.
The senator pledged to continue pursuing policies and programmes that would advance the interests of Delta Central and contribute to national development.
He called on party faithful and supporters to remain united and committed as the APC prepares for the 2027 polls.

By Frank Meke

In the past year, the tourism industry has witnessed the emergence of what can best be described as “shadow boxing” experts—individuals more invested in self-validation than in the genuine growth and development of the sector. They strive to appear impactful, yet often lack the depth of thought required to drive meaningful progress.

It is easy to forget that every great journey begins with deliberate steps. Growth is not a competition, nor is it measured by comparison with others; it is ultimately defined by the legacy one builds over time.

Breaking my deliberate silence on industry matters, I was compelled last night to reflect on a report indicating that the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria had advised its member groups to boycott the ongoing industry competency exercise and registration regime spearheaded by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism—a statutory initiative backed by law. The justification, reportedly, was the absence of adequate stakeholder engagement.

Curious, I examined the advisory to see whether the Federation had articulated the potential short- and long-term benefits of NIHOTOUR’s regulatory initiative. Unfortunately, it appeared more like an exercise in shadow boxing—what Apostle Paul once described as “beating the air.”

The prolonged back-and-forth between the Federation and regulatory authorities reflects a troubling trend: the pursuit of perfection in policy matters through agitation rather than constructive engagement. Even if we assume that the Honourable Minister advised broader stakeholder consultations and that such efforts did not meet the Federation’s expectations, one must ask: where is the wisdom in urging members to reject a legally binding initiative without fully exploring opportunities for a mutually beneficial outcome?

With both NIHOTOUR and the Federation headquartered in Abuja, meaningful engagement should not be difficult. If “Mohammed cannot go to the mountain,” must the mountain not be moved closer to Mohammed?

In her 1929 essay *A Room of One’s Own*, Virginia Woolf cautioned against the relentless pursuit of external validation. Her words—“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but yourself”—underscore the importance of thoughtful reflection over performative action. In the context of our industry, they remind us that genuine growth is rooted in dialogue, not noise.

Contrary to claims of exclusion, there is evidence that NIHOTOUR has engaged stakeholders across the sector. Notably, as recently as yesterday, a group of restaurant operators met with the Institute and formalized their support for the initiative, recognizing the need for a credible register of practitioners and organizations within the industry.

Given the sector’s vast diversity and its long-standing lack of structured entry and exit frameworks, regulatory reform should be welcomed as a necessary step forward. It is concerning that, rather than championing such progress, the Federation appears quick to mobilize resistance.

To its credit, the Federal Government—through NIHOTOUR—has made considerable efforts to clarify the legal and operational framework guiding the industry. While no policy is perfect, forward-thinking stakeholders typically embrace reform as a foundation for improvement, contributing constructively to its refinement over time.

The true strength of industry players lies not in issuing threats or engaging in rhetorical battles, but in sustained, sincere dialogue with government. Encouragingly, NIHOTOUR has continued to deepen its relationship with member associations, even appointing respected industry figures to lead reform efforts. What more meaningful form of engagement could there be than entrusting our own to drive change?

It is therefore imperative that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, alongside the National Assembly of Nigeria, provides increased budgetary support to key institutions such as the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority and NIHOTOUR. This should form the cornerstone of advocacy efforts within the sector, rather than resistance to regulatory advancement.

Ironically, the current NIHOTOUR regulatory framework traces its origins to one of the Federation’s own leaders—a former Vice President (North West) who once headed the Institute. It is therefore puzzling that the Federation now appears to be at odds with a legacy shaped, in part, by its own ranks.

One cannot help but wonder: is there more to this conflict than meets the eye?

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has advised its member associations not to participate in the ongoing Competency-Based Interview (CBI) and registration exercise organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), citing non-compliance with government directives.
The advisory, issued on May 5, 2026, and signed by FTAN National President, Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, stated that the exercise contravenes instructions from the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa.
FTAN said NIHOTOUR commenced the registration and certification programme without concluding stakeholder consultations as directed by the ministry. The institute’s Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, had earlier invited some member associations to participate in the exercise through a letter dated April 30, 2026.
According to the federation, the ministry had mandated NIHOTOUR to engage the organised private sector and address concerns surrounding its enabling law before implementing any certification process. It described the institute’s action as premature and inconsistent with that directive.
The federation therefore urged its members to abstain from the exercise until all outstanding issues related to the law are resolved and a consensus is reached through proper stakeholder engagement.
FTAN reiterated its commitment to working with government agencies to promote tourism development but stressed that such collaboration must be inclusive and guided by clear agreements. It also called for unity among its members in upholding the federation’s position on the matter.

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) is positioning Kaduna State as a major center for Nigeria’s burgeoning film sector, with plans to host the grand finale of the Nigerian Indigenous Film Showcase there.
The initiative, announced by NFVCB Executive Director/CEO Dr. Shaibu Husseini during a stakeholders’ forum at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall in Kaduna, aims to boost local production, talent development, and economic activity. The event drew representatives from film guilds, associations, and the Kaduna State Ministry of Business and Innovation.
Dr. Husseini emphasized the Board’s strategy to grow the creative economy beyond Lagos and other traditional hubs. “We are leveraging Kaduna’s potential to add tangible value to the state and the nation,” he said, while unveiling upcoming training programs to equip filmmakers with modern skills.
He also cracked down on regulatory lapses, warning that unapproved content releases on platforms like YouTube would no longer be overlooked. “Filmmakers must adhere strictly to guidelines to maintain professionalism,” Husseini stated.
Mrs. Rhoda Dandura, Acting Director of the Licensing and Documentation Department, echoed the call for responsibility. “We need conscious, value-driven storytelling to protect our youth, who are the nation’s future leaders,” she told participants.
Stakeholders praised the session as insightful and productive. Mr. Zwahu Yanwaidi, from the Ministry of Business and Innovation, pledged full backing for the showcase and trainings. “The Ministry will facilitate these efforts to empower creatives statewide,” he assured.
Dr. Husseini promised more engagements soon, signaling NFVCB’s dual focus on regulation and support for emerging film ecosystems like Kaduna’s.