Aminu Imam
A member of Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), from Kano, Alhaji Ɗanjuma Hassan, has commended the Kano State Censors Board for banning over 22 films produced by AREWA24 TV channel in Kano.
Alhaji Ɗanjuma Hassan, who made the call at the sidelines of the 2-day Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) Summit in Kaduna, called on the Executive Governor of Kano state, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf to ban AREWA 24 from its illegal business in the premises of Kano Radio and Television, (ARTV).
He also strongly called upon President Bola Tinubu to ban Arewa24 for the illegal operations in Nigeria broadcast and advertising space with out the license of National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC), thereby undermining the NBC Code ARCON Laws, EFCC & Tax Laws Nigerian local Content and ‘Nigeria First’ policies to the detriment of the people of Kano State, North-West and Nigeria.
He said for several years of Business in the Commercial City of Kano with Capital flight from the estimated Broadcast Media Advertising Revenues of over $200m, the American Jewish Ownership has still not complied with the Federal Government of Nigeria Local Content and the ‘Nigeria First’ policies to empowering the Kano and North-West Zone Hausa-speaking communities as Arewa24 shareholders and membership of the Companies Board of Directors.
Hassan said the affected banned films by Kano Censors Board are widely viewed on Arewa24 TV channel and social media platforms, and have aroused public conversations about the role of Nigerian Broadcast and Advertising Regulators against creative freedom.
Recall that the Censorship Board of Kano State has banned 22 Hausa-language film series, including well-known favourites like ‘Labarina’ and ‘Daɗin-Kowa’. This was based on allegations of bypassing established regulatory procedures.
The Board’s Executive Secretary, Abba el-Mustapha, announced this directive recently.
In a formal broadcast, the Board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, explained that the affected parties and projects had failed to undertake the mandatory vetting process required by state law before distribution or broadcast.
“The Board has suspended 22 Hausa film series for violating our guidelines, which require that all films be submitted for censorship before public release”, Sulaiman stated.
Among the titles affected are: Ɗakin Amarya, Mashahuri, Gidan Sarauta, Wasiyya, Tawakkaltu, Mijina, Wani Zamani, Labarina, Mallaka, Kuɗin Ruwa, Boka Ko Malam, Wayasan Gobe, Rana Dubu, Manyan Mata, Fatake, Gwarwashi, Jamilun Jiddan, Shahadar Nabila, Daɗin Kowa, Tabarmar, Kishiyata, and Rigar Aro.
Sulaiman accentuated the Censorship Board’s position and rights to supervise all forms of visual storytelling intended for public consumption within and beyond Kano’s borders.
He added, “Producers are instructed to cease airing or streaming their content on television or online platforms and are expected to submit their productions for censorship approval from Monday, 19th May 2025″.
He further reprimanded that failing to comply with the Board’s directive within the specified timeframe would result in legal repercussions.
He also called on Arewa24 TV and all TV stations and the NBC to support the Board’s efforts to ensure these directives are adhered to and to help advance the Kannywood industry in line with its development goals.
The Board also encouraged National regulatory agencies to wake up from sleep to perform their Regulatory function and media outlets to support the enforcement of censorship guidelines.
The statement read: “We are calling on television stations and the NBC to support our efforts in ensuring compliance with censorship laws and promoting professionalism in the Kannywood industry”.
This move is part of the state government’s renewed efforts to clean and reorganise the Kannywood industry and enforce discipline among content creators. The affected films, widely viewed on local channels and social media platforms, have aroused public conversations about the role of regulation against creative freedom.
However, the Board has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding moral standards and preserving cultural values in the production of Hausa-language content.
