The Senate on Tuesday ordered the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hajia Hanatu Musawa, to stop their planned move to scrap the National Film and Video Census Board.
It insisted on the commencement of the process of repealing the Act establishing the National Film and Video Census Board before embarking on any form of scrapping it .
This followed the resolution on a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo Ogoshi (PDP Nasarawa South).
Senator Onawo in the motion titled: “Urgent need to halt violation of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act,” informed the Senate that a memo signed by the SGF, directed to the Honorable Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, mandated the immediate dissolution of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFCVB), which will now be integrated as a department within the ministry instead of operating as a separate federal agency.
He said that the directive violates the National Film and Video Censors Board Act Cap No.40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).
“The process of winding down an Agency of government which came into force through an Act of Parliament should first commence by the repeal of the Act establishing the said Agency.
“The Oronsaye report is a committee report that should not override an Act of Parliament”, he said.
He noted with deep concern that the ministry has been instructed to complete the administrative and financial processes to wind down the NFVCB within three weeks with effect from 21st June, 2024, and report back to the SGF’s office within the first month after it becomes a department of the ministry.
“This abuse of rule of law if goes unchecked would become a bad precedence going forward.
“There is, therefore, the need to promptly check this illegality by insisting that the right procedures for winding down a statutory agency like NFVCB be followed,” he stressed.
Aside Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North), other Senators who contributed to the motion, supported it and voted for adoption of its prayers.
…. Independent Newspapers with the exception of the headline.
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