The Documentary 'Fuelling Poverty' Nominated for the 2013 AMAA Despite Being Banned by the Nigerian Government
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.
