April 4, 2024
The Kano State Government has taken a decisive step by prohibiting all movies and cinematic works that advocate thuggery and cross-dressing within the state. This announcement came through a press release issued by Abdullah Sani Sulaiman, the media officer of the State’s Censorship Board.
The decision to implement this ban stems from a surge in complaints lodged by residents, expressing concerns over content that is perceived to clash with the cultural fabric of the society.
“The time has come to halt the circulation of films that undermine the moral compass of the Kano populace,” remarked the board in its statement.
Emphasizing the need to eradicate any form of media that undermines the customs, norms, and values of the community under the guise of gaining popularity or commercial success, the board urged for collective action in identifying and addressing such content.
Furthermore, the board extended its appreciation to the vigilant citizens for promptly reporting any material that deviates from the cultural and Islamic principles upheld by the state.
It’s worth noting that earlier reports from SaharaReporters highlighted the stance of the Nigerian Police Force, asserting that cross-dressing, per se, is not an offense according to Nigerian law.
Despite calls for the arrest of prominent cross-dresser, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, widely known as Bobrisky, the police clarified that there are no legal grounds for such actions. Olumuyiwa Ademola, the Force Public Relations Officer, underscored the necessity of credible evidence to support any legal action against individuals engaging in cross-dressing.
While Nigeria has laws prohibiting same-sex relationships and marriage, the focus of recent actions in Kano State seems to be primarily on the portrayal and promotion of cross-dressing in media content.
