Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave this order during a media visit to Daily Trust office in Abuja on Monday.

The minister said the confession of some money ritual suspects that they learnt the heinous act on social media have boosted the resolve of the Federal Government to sanitise the social media.

He said, “Many have also blamed Nollywood for featuring money rituals in some of its movies, saying this has negatively influenced the vulnerable youth. To mitigate this, I have directed the National Film and Video Censors Board, the body set up to regulate the film and video industry in Nigeria, to take this issue into consideration while performing its role of censoring and classifying films and videos.

“I have also directed NFVCB to engage with stakeholders in the film industry in order to express the concerns of the government and Nigerians on the need to eschew money ritual content in their movies.”

This order comes following the recent ritual killings in the country particularly in Ogun State where four teenagers, one of whom is 18 years old, murdered their 20-year-old female friend for money rituals.

Mr Christian Oru, NYSC Assistant Director of Legal Services, said this in Lagos during a meeting between the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and creative industry stakeholders.

Oru said the illegal use of its uniform in movies would no longer be tolerated by the management.

He also said before using the NYSC uniform in movies, the filmmaker must submit an application letter, stating exactly what the uniform would be used for and must acknowledge NYSC in the movie.

According to him, filmmakers would also have to submit their scripts to NYSC to enable them observe how NYSC would be represented in the movie.

“For any filmmaker that wants any of his casts to wear the corps members’ uniform while shooting movies, we require that you write an application letter to NYSC to indicate your interest.

“We also demand that you submit your script to us for proper vetting to know how NYSC will be represented.

“We know the script is your copyright and we will do everything to ensure confidentiality,” he said.

Oru also noted that administrative handling charges had been introduced for filmmakers before the use of the uniforms.

According to him, the NYSC is open to allowing filmmakers to advertise their movies on its various camp grounds.

“We want a token from what you generate from the production of such movies where our uniforms are used, this is known as administrative charges.

“This is because we spend money to produce these uniforms, we will like to work with you and we promise that we will all be on the same page to ensure we are developing the industry and the nation as well,” he said.