Official press statement by NFVCB:
“It has become necessary for the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clear the air and set the records straight on the status of the movie, Half of a Yellow Sun and the attendant interest in certain quarters on the matter.
The NFVCB restates its position that the movie is NOT banned as speculated and that the Board has dutifully exercised due diligence consonant with section 36 (1) (b) of NFVCB Enabling Law ACT 1993, CAP N40 LFN 2004 which stipulates that “ a decision on a film shall ensure that such a film is not likely to undermine national security”.
The Board has duly communicated the exhibitor of the movie in a letter dated May 27th, 2014 explaining the status of the film and requiring the distributor to expunge/edit some clearly stated objectionable aspects of the movie.
Once the areas highlighted are resolved, the NFVCB as a regulator shall communicate a rating of the film as may be deemed appropriate.
The actions of the Board are a routine procedure that is not specific to any production but primarily taken within the ambit of the law, underpinned by the superior logic of safeguarding overall public interest.
It is note-worthy that since the correspondence from the Board to the Exhibitor, a response is yet to be received that may facilitate further regulatory actions as may be deemed necessary.
It would be recalled that the NFVCB as the movie industry regulator in Nigeria, approved 35 movies in the month of May 2014 alone, applying similar procedural processes.”
Signed:
Caesar O. Kagho,
Acting Head, Corporate Affairs,
National Film & Video Censors Board.
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