Nude Video Causes A Stir

The following story was published on p. 3 of today's Leadership newspaper:

Nude Video Causes A Stir Among Hausa Filmmakers
- 17 actors expelled

An eight-minute video clip recorded with a GSM handset ostensibly for personal viewing has caused an outcry in many states in the country, pitching Hausa actors against viewers whose sensibilities were hurt by the indecent exposure.

Kano State Filmmakers Association rose from a meeting last night with a firm commitment to purify the trade by expelling members of the association judged to be immoral.

Last night, the association expelled 17 of the most popular actors, saying they contributed to tarnishing the image of the actors. More would be shown the door, a source told Leadership.

The decision followed the outcry caused by the sudden appearance of the video clip which showed a popular actress in a steamy scene with her boyfriend known popularly as Bobo. Both were stark naked.

This was the first time such exposure involving Hausa-Fulani persons was witnessed in the country.

The clip has been circulating since last week among viewers eager to see the rumoured flick, which many called the first Hausa "blue film."

Condemnation has come in torrents on radio, television and in mosques from Muslim clerics and others that considered the action of both the actress and her boyfriend morally unacceptable and a big shame.

Bobo, a bureau de change operator in Lagos, was said to have recorded the scene last year and had done all he could to stop its circulation after it had slipped out of his control accidentally.

The actress has since gone into hiding.

The development came at an ackward situation for the filmmakers, who had come under severe criticism in recent times for the indecent behaviours of some of its members.

The filmmakers' umbrella association, headed by Alhaji Sa'idu Gwanja, said it was forced by the circumstance to take action last night, saying those expelled from the film industry were thought to be involved in immoral acts such as drunkenness and fornication.

Film stars expelled included Mahe Ibrahim, Ummi Ibrahim (Zee-Zee), Safiya Musa, Ummi Nuhu, Kubura Dhacko, Hannatu Umar, Auwalu Isa West, Farida Jalal, Hauwa Rafindadi and Fati Slow.

Others were Muhibbat Abdulsalam, Zahiyya Ibrahim, Maijidda Abbas, Ismuha, Sadiya Yarari, Hajiya Zainab and Shamsiyya Habib (Kansakali).

A committee has been set up by the association to receive appeals from any of the sacked actors and monitor developments on the matter. It is headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Mandawari, with Dr Ahmad Sarari as secretary.

Other members of the committee are Habibu Sani, Balaraba Ramat Yakubu, Jamilu Dakan-Daka, Hajara Usman, Auwalu Malam Dare, Yakubu Muhammad and Misbahu M. Ahmad.

Leadership was also told by a leading director that henceforth any person wishing to join the Hausa film industry must first provide a guarantor who would testify to the person's good character.

He said the latest action was expected to bring down the tension generated by the sex video making the rounds in people's handsets at the moment.