Nigeria bans District 9 Movie

Was driving and listening to the radio this afternoon when I heard the news that got me laughing for a bit. It seems Nigeria has banned the movie District 9 from showing in our cinemas. I've been hearing about this movie but I haven't seen it yet. Is it a horror movie or a thriller?

Anyway I went digging and this is what I found out about the ban...

On Saturday, September 19, Nigeria's Information Minister Dora Akunyili told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the sci-fi movie is not welcomed in the country and that she had ordered the Nigerian film and video censors' board to ask all cinemas to stop showing it.

On the reason why, Akunyili explained, "We feel very bad about this because the film clearly denigrated Nigeria's image by portraying us as if we are cannibals, we are criminals."

In District 9 there is a group of Nigerians, the only humans living in the D-9 shanty town and they are protrayed as ruling organised crime gang, ‘aquiring’ piles of Alien weapons, illegal food selling to the aliens, prostitution and there gang leader (Obesandjo) is seen on screen eating aliens flesh after been told by a witch doctor he would absorb the aliens power.

The minister also mentioned that the name of the major baddie is very similar to that of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo. "The name our former president was clearly spelt out as the head of the criminal gang and our ladies shown like prostitutes sleeping with extra-terrestrial beings," she added. In addition to demanding the censors' board to confiscate the movie, Akunyili stated that she has appealed to Sony for an apology and the renaming of the Nigerian antagonists. "I have also formally written to Sony Pictures Entertainment, the company that produced this film, demanding an unconditional apology for this unwarranted attack on Nigeria's image," she claimed.

Eugene Khumbanyiwa, the Malawian actor who plays the the gang leader said that the movie should not be taken too literally. "It's a story, you know," he said. "It's not like Nigerians do eat aliens. Aliens don't even exist in the first place."

Source: Aceshowbiz
I dont know about you but as a Nigerian I am not in anyway offended by this portrayal. Like the actor said it's just a movie...for entertainment...people don't take such things seriously...so many countries have been portrayed in so many different ways...so why are we making a big deal out of this...kini big deal mehn? :-)

But what do you guys think, is this ban called-for?

Me I must watch it sha lol...

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The Future Awards Meets the British High Commissioner to Nigeria

On Thursday, the 17th of September 2009, organisers and winners of The Future Awards, under The Future Project, Nigeria had the rare opportunity to interact with Bob Dewar, the British High Commissioner, at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos on the work young Nigerians do.

Pictures below.

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