The Kano State government has taken a daring step to force compliance with the culture of the people by revoking the operational licence of a popular actress, Samha M. Inuwa, citing “indecent dressing and vulgar content.”
The ruling, which was made public on Saturday by the Censorship Board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, also included a stern 12-month ban on the actress from featuring in any film. The Board has also censored all films featuring Samha within the state.
Sulaiman said that the actress had repeatedly flouted warnings given by the Board over her “crude dressing and vulgar displays” which had elicited many complaints from the people of Kano state.
The move has sparked heated conversations about the balance between artistic expression and cultural norms in a state where such standards are closely guarded. While some praise the government’s stance, others see it as a potential infringement on creative freedom.
The next 12 months will determine how the decision has affected the lasting impact of her career and Kano’s entertainment industry at large.
