The Hausa Movies Industry popularly known as Kannywood was last year banned from production by the Kano State Censorship Board, under the leadership of Mallam Rabo. This drew the attention of so many Hausa Movie viewers and marketers to look for a possible solution to the ban.

In addition to this, some members of the industry were banned due to their role in Hiyana’s nude video and some other related activities. Those suspended include: Muhibbat Abdussalam, Kubra Dako, Auwal West, Abba Ruda and so on. But unfortunately, those affected went to media and challenge the dismissal and also accused the industry’s leadership pointing out that they were the one spoiling them. Moreover, one Farida Jalal, an actress in the movie industry went on air at Freedom Radio pointing out that a popular producer in the industry and leader of the Kannywood is responsible for deflowering. Therefore he has no moral responsibility in suspending or dismissing her from acting.

After some months the dismissal was reversed and also the banned were allowed back into the industry, as the production companies presumed to continue with production. But the board comes out with more curb and pointed out that each company that wants to continue must be (1) registered with CAC (2) the censorship board (3) must have at least one million naira, and (4) there will be no more singing with ladies. Despite the fact that not all companies can meet the requirement, this lead to vacation of some of the producers, directors, actors and actresses from Kano to some neighboring states in order to start  afresh or join other production companies that their states rules and regulation on movie production did not restrained them.

I remember watching a program on Kaduna State owned television, were there was a discussion with the leadership of the state censorship. They categorically stated that if any movie production company from anywhere else is willing to come to Kaduna and start or join their existing companies are highly welcome. This has given so many companies from Kano a chance to relocate to Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos, where they continue with their production due to the sanction and new rules imposed against the movie industry in Kano. But those companies with diminutive capital stayed back as they can not travel out from the state.

In consideration of this, companies like 2Effect Empire, Unic Ventures, NH Production and some others have already branched in Abuja while Karami and Zango Productions in Lagos and Kaduna respectively. To this view, all this was cause by a personal interest of some group of people who are not in good term with the Kannywood leadership or the movies industry at large, not because of the escalation of Hiyana nude video.

The nude video was filmed out of the industry, and not in the movie scene location. In such case, a committee should be set-up to investigate the scene and come out with a fair unanimous decision in which there is sprite. Furthermore, a public hearing could have been set up to hear the publics view on whether or not Hiyana personal video warrants the suspension of Kannywood film industry.

As we speak, there has nobody who shown concern on what is happening between the state censorship and the industry. The board is continuously accusing the industry for abusing the main Hausa culture and thereby arresting the movies producers and prosecuting them in a purposely setup mobile court which no one can determined whether it’s a court of law or of egotism.

Mr. Afakallahu, a popular producer in the industry has pointed out to me that the censorship boss has grudges with them since he was in the Hisbah Board. Afakallahu narrated that Mallam Rabo is not fighting with the actors involved in the Hiyana video, but with the members of the Kannywood at large.

Let me not end with the story of antagonism between the two parties involved, but how the industry will be restored back to its normal activities. There are hundreds of people who hailed in the industry and they were currently doing nothing, but selling their belongings to feed themselves due to the inactivity of their main and only business. When you consider the current unemployment rate in the state and the country, you will see that there is a need for such an industry to be running, as it helps reduce unemployment and expanding its branches across the Northern region and the country as a whole.

Kano state is blessed with the human resource, with highest population in the country after Lagos. Economy will largely depend on the population being employed and earning an income. Crippling such an industry will nothing but a step back.

The world as it is now is moving under self-determination and sovereignty; therefore, everyone should be given an opportunity to make his own living so far he has not breach the constitutional guidelines. Personal interests of particular person or group of people should not be given priority, as such will help cripple the local economy and autonomy of citizens.

The censorship board should initiate realistic guidelines on which the Hausa film industry will operate. Such guidelines must be fair and targeted to make the industry better than what it is today.

It should also display absolute professionalism in its methods of bettering in industry, as decisions will always be seen as being loyal to one party or the other.