There are emerging tensions between the Kano State Hisbah Board and Kannywood filmmakers regarding the board’s efforts to implement reforms and maintain order in the state.
On Friday, Dr. Mujahid Aminudden, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Hisbah, announced that all filmmakers were invited to their office for a meeting next Monday.
He stated, “In the past, we met with your younger brother, TikTok, and now we are calling you to come sit with us and discuss how you manage your business.”
However, filmmakers have expressed their resistance to this invitation. Alhassan Kwalle, the president of the filmmakers’ group, voiced his displeasure, stating that the invitation was not an appropriate approach, similar to the way members of the media are typically invited.
He emphasized that the Hisbah should have communicated through formal channels, as they have done with other agencies in the past.
He also mentioned that if the Hisbah wants to engage with them, they should send a written letter and allow them ample time to express their concerns.
Umar Sani Kofar Mazugal, a well-known producer referred to as Umar U.K., stated that he would not respond to the Hisbah Board’s invitation.
He expressed, “I will not respond to the Hisbah board’s call because I am a free individual. I value my independence and would not attend an informal street invitation, even if it came from the governor.
I operate my business in Kannywood, and although I recognize that they may also be movie producers, I cannot accept an invitation based on hearsay without a formal written document.”
He stated, “If the government wants to invite us, we operate under a Film Censor Board. Why is the Hisbah reaching out? This government was formed by us, and we won’t accept issues blindly. Thus, I won’t respond to the Hisbah’s informal invitation.”
