Not for the first time since he became Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed once again found himself on the wrong side of Nigerians.
His suggestion that entertainers may be banned by the federal government from shooting movies and music videos abroad was met by sharp criticism from Nigerian artistes.
Jude Okoye, Yemi Alade, Ruggedman, Kcee, Charly Boy and Peter Okoye have all spoken out strongly against the move, condemning it as hypocritical from a government whose officials send their children to school abroad.
This is coupled with the fact that the president, Muhammadu Buhari, is receiving treatment in a London hospital.
‘I’m ashamed to be Nigerian,’ said Peter Okoye while his brother, Jude, berated the government for attempting to control an industry they have never supported. Charly Boy was his usual caustic self, describing the minster as ‘MC of Goofs’.
While Lai Mohammed has attempted to clarify what he meant by saying it is not an outright ban, his explanation does not suggest anything different.
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‘All we are saying is that we are going to amend the code in a manner that it will not be possible for you to exploit any loophole there to go and shoot outside Nigeria film, music or programs that are meant to be consumed in Nigeria,’ he said.
This move is sure to continue generating controversy as entertainers like the six mentioned here, are going to be relentless in fighting this policy that they say is detrimental to the development of the entertainment industry.