In a significant move to foster a positive media environment, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has agreed to collaborate with the Catholic Church in Nigeria to promote a healthy screen culture. The partnership was announced during a visit by a delegation from the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, led by the National Director of Communication, Very Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Michael Nsikak Umoh, to the NFVCB headquarters in Abuja.
While welcoming the delegation, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director of the NFVCB, expressed the Board’s commitment to the collaboration. “Let it be known that you have found a willing partner, because the Catholic Church in Nigeria already has a structure that supports and reinforces our work in the area of classification and media literacy,” he stated. Dr. Husseini emphasized the Board’s openness to partnerships that will help instill a culture of responsible media consumption among Nigerians.
Fr. Umoh, a U.S.-certified media expert, thanked the NFVCB for its willingness to collaborate with the Church. He highlighted the potential impact of the partnership, stating, “this singular gesture grants the Board access to a ready audience of about 30-40 million Catholics in Nigeria, over 4,000 parishes, and 59 Dioceses.” He further explained that the Catholic Bishops Conference has always been keenly interested in the media’s role in society and is determined to work with the NFVCB to ensure the media space remains conducive to societal well-being. Fr. Umoh noted, “The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria deeply appreciates the Board’s efforts in promoting values in society to ensure that film and media contents conform to our cultural and moral standards”.
Dr. Husseini assured the delegation that the NFVCB has a robust public media digital education arm dedicated to media literacy advocacy, outreach, and enlightenment programs. These initiatives target schools, institutions, churches, mosques, and markets. He pledged to involve the Catholic Church in the Board’s efforts, particularly in campaigns promoting responsible media consumption and education.
The delegation included Sir Jonpaul Oshioke Umoru (KSM), Chairman of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) in Niger State and Coordinator of the Catholic Artist and Entertainers Association for Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, as well as Mr. Patrick Obi, Chairman of the Catholic Artists and Entertainers Association of Nigeria (CAEAN) in Abuja.
This partnership marks a significant step toward leveraging the influence of both institutions to promote values-based content and responsible media consumption across the nation.
