The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has ordered that the screening of ‘Sugar Rush’ be stopped in cinemas.
In a statement signed by the board’s executive director, Adedayo Thomas, and made available on its twitter handle, the board also refuted claims that the ban was a deliberate attack on creativity.
“It has come to our notice that #BringBackSugarRush is currently gaining momentum on Twitter with many speculating a ban on the movie ‘Sugar Rush’ and presuming the supposed action as a sign of government’s intention to stifle creativity,” the statement said.
“The movie has not just significantly increased box office revenues within a short period but has improved our cinematic culture which is sine qua non for attracting the investment we so much desire as a nation.”
However, Thomas took responsibility for the delay of the final approval of the film.
He said: “I, however, take responsibility for the gap in communication and the delay in granting final approval as the temporary approval given for the movie exhibition expired before we could release an official statement due to my preoccupation with extant responsibilities and a backlog of movies requiring approval as a result of the December rush.
“I am currently working with the distributor, producer, director and key actors to grant final approval for the resumed exhibition at cinemas.”
In the same vein, the Director of Sugar Rush, Jade Osiberu, who confirmed the development via her Instagram handle, expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved soon so that the movie can resume screening.
“Thank you all so much for the support that our film ‘Sugar Rush’ has received. Unfortunately, due to issues that are way beyond our control, Sugar Rush has been suspended from playing in cinemas.
“We are hoping that issues will be resolved quickly so we can resume screening as soon as possible,” her post partly reads.