Outrage as Jonathan's govt bans film narrated by Wole Soyinka

From what we gather, the award-winning filmmaker, Ishaya Bako’s new film, ‘Fuelling Poverty’ has been banned in Nigeria by the Federal Government. The reasons is still unclear, but the content of the movie must be largely responsible.

Fuelling Poverty is a documentary on the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, and it tries to expose the scams of the political class. It is narrated by Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka. On reaching the filmmaker over the phone during the week, Mr. Bako, who is not new to controversy, said he has been summoned by the State Security Service to answer some questions.

Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, wrote a letter to the filmmaker, Ishaya Bako, saying the contents of the documentary “are highly provocative and likely to incite or encourage public disorder and undermine national security.” The Board warned Mr. Bako to abide by the order as he would now be treated as though he were a threat to national security.

“All relevant national security agencies are on the alert. A copy of this letter has been sent to the Director General, Department of State Services and the Inspector General of Police for their information,” the Board said to Mr. Bako probably to instil fear in the filmmaker who says his aim for the film was for people to reflect on the process of change.

Ishaya Bako is a London Film School graduate and won the 2012 Best Short Film Award at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards with his film,Braids on a Bald Head, which chronicles the story of two women who are in love and live in the northern part of Nigeria.