Mr Latin, Ruggedman, others react to FG plan to ban BBNAIJA

Following the news break at the weekend that the federal government had kick-start arrangements to partner with Startimes on the creation of an alternative reality TV show to replace the ongoing Big Brother Naija, BBN, there have been reactions from lovers of the show as well as critics.

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, had lodged a complaint with the National Broadcasting Commission,NBC, last friday condemning live sex during the show.

His action has however, generate a lot of reactions across the country, with some notable Nigerian entertainers describing the federal government’s move to ban the reality show as ‘a misplaced priority.’

Popular rapper, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, a.k.a Ruggedman said banning the BBN would mean impoverishing the Nigerian youths the more, as the reality show empowers them on yearly basis.

Ruggedman said, “I saw the news somewhere and i said so the Nigerian government has left Boko Haram, Herdsmen, RUGA and all the problems Nigeria has to be watching BBNaija.

This is not good enough; they should help us and leave BBNaija alone.

BBNaija is somebody’s successful franchise; if they don’t want it on TV, they can tell NBC or DSTV to stop showing it.

They didn’t fight against it when it started, but now that it’s turning in money for some people and empowering Nigerian youths in a way, they want to stop it.”

I Go Dye, a stand-up comedian and social commentator said, “Government cannot successfully ban anything with intellectual right in it’s totality. If you ban it in Nigeria, are they going to stop all Nigerians abroad from watching it in their various countries? Let’s be objective. The approach should be for them to partner with such agencies and brands to re-orientate the youths more positively. Government should be more proactive than being critic; explore positive mediums to establish their civil ideals instead of being confrontational.”

Bolaji Amusan, Comic actor and president of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN, popularly known as Mr. Latin opined that instead of banning the show, the federal government can ensure that subsequent editions are censored.

He said, “I have mixed reactions. Some people reacted to it negatively, like its a misplaced priority. Though BBNaija is rated 18, which is for mature minds, but there is so much indecency in the show that is corrupting the minds of people. Nigeria is not developed to the extent that you can say those below 18 should not watch it. The young ones can still watch it on their phones and tablets. If it were to be in advanced countries the age restriction was put, we can say it would work. But with the advent of social media and phones in Nigeria, youngsters can easily stay in their bedroom and watch the show. I would have advised the organizers of Big Brother to reduce the level of indecency. It is corrupting the minds of the young ones, that’s just the truth. Although we have a lot of other problems in Nigeria but if you don’t train your children they way you should, you won’t enjoy them. Banning the show is not the way to go. The government has the power to do so many things, so the organizers can be cautioned and told that they have to reduce certain things in subsequent editions. No doubt, the platform has led to the discovery of entertainment stars in Nigeria but out of every twelve, there is always a Judas and there is no perfect production. But they should at least reduce sexual interactions to the barest minimum”.