Dr Shaibu Husseini, the new Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has urged staff to adhere to professional best practices and productivity toward ensuring the board effectively fulfill its mandate.
He gave the charge during his first meeting with staff of the board on assumption of office at NFVCB headquarters in Abuja.
According to the new helmsman, the board as a critical stakeholder in the nationâs creative sector, particularly the film industry, is expected to discharge its statutory functions âin the best professional manner.â
He urged officers of the board to be more productive to ensure that the motion picture industry contributed maximally to the national economy in line with the ârenewed hopeâ mantra of President Bola Tinubuâs administration.
The DG pledged that NFVCB would work together as a family towards the best interest of stakeholders and the nation at large.
He, therefore, solicited the cooperation and support of the boardâs management and staffers across its offices nationwide to enable him achieve his vision.
âI have come to serve you, the board, Mr. President who gave me this assignment and to serve God because, ultimately, everything we do should bring honour to him. So, I am here to serve but in serving, I want to solicit your support, cooperation and prayers.
âWhen leaders do not do well, it is because to some extent, their people do not pray for them and if you pray for me very well, I will not miss the road. Also, I do not want you to start comparing me and anybody that has run the board.
âI have come to build, so Let us build together; I am not rebuilding, there is nothing to rebuild, but let us add more to the pyramid so that the pyramid will be better,â he said.
In his remarks, Mr Ferdinand Abua, Director of Administration of NFVCB, welcomed the new leader on board and pledged the loyalty and support of staffers to his leadership.
Husseini was among the 11 new Chief Executive Officers recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu to lead agencies in the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy.
He is a journalist, film critic, performing artist, cultural administrator and film curator. He has been the Chair of the Selection Committee for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for decades.
Husseini has been part of boards and juries of several local and international film-related committees, including those of the Mainframe Film Institute, the International Film Festival, and the Bank of Industry (BOI) Nollywood Fund.
He is the author of the acclaimed 2010 masterpiece âMoviedomâ, a book that offers insights into Nollywoodâs developmental stages.
NFVCB is a Federal Government agency that regulates the film and video industry in Nigeria.
The Board is empowered by law to classify films and videos, whether imported or produced locally.
It is also the duty of the Board to register films and videos outlet across the country and to keep a register of such registered outlets among other functions.
(NAN)
