The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has asked the National Broadcasting Commission to halt the transmission Big Brother Naija, a TV reality show.
The minister reportedly made the call to end the fifth season of the show which commenced on July 20 by citing fears of a possible spread of COVID-19 among housemates.
On Wednesday, Acting Director-General of the NBC, Armstrong Idachaba, told senior management members of the commission at a meeting that he had been directed by the minister to shut down the show, according to TheCable.
Mohammed reportedly wanted to cover-up his own personal decision by shutting down the show through a letter from NBC.
The minister is reportedly bent on sending MultiChoice Ltd, producers of the show, out of Nigeria in order to pave the way for his main consultant to make a return to Pay TV after previously failing.
A director had told the meeting that the NBC had on July 1 sought an explanation from Multichoice Ltd on a possible violation of COVID-19 protocol with the airing of the show.
However, MultiChoice Ltd had subsequently replied the NBC stating the measures taken to forestall any violation of the Covid-19 protocol advised by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, adding that the Lagos State Safety Commission gave approval for the show.
The organisers also said housemates went through mandatory two-week isolation before the commencement of the show and that the BBN House had been disinfected and rearranged to ensure physical distancing, in addition to the elimination of live audience.
Idachaba, was, however, yet to convey the minister’s directive to the organizers of the show.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to social media to warn the minister to desist from such move.
Below are some reactions on Twitter Friday night.
https://twitter.com/Biisi96/status/1286736775369629696?s=20
I suspect Lai Mohammed has a personal vendetta against Multichoice
NBC may shut down BBNaija next month.
Make Laycon and co face their music. They are already famous.
— Mo-Mo? (@Morris_Monye) July 24, 2020
Lai Mohammed is more worried about the health of 20 people than he is about 200 million people.
— Peaceful Eki (@ekiloui) July 24, 2020
I never knew Lai Mohammed has sense prior to this day…. Frankly, #BBNaijia doesn't add value to the society but social immorality. It is a good move by NBC, perhaps this will help the youths to focus on present and future endeavor, that's been stolen away by our politicians.
— MOHNICE ⚔️ (@Mohnice_) July 24, 2020
Minister Lai Mohammed pls focus your energy on getting our N2.5B back from suspended DG Modibo Kawu who appeared on court via ambulance. The sicko was supposed to convert NTA to digital and Onifade and Omoluwa allegedly vanished with our money. U then tried to borrow $500M ABI? pic.twitter.com/xcDN6FX5VW
— Kemi Olunloyo Pharm.D♠️ (@KemiOlunloyo) July 24, 2020
Omo, Nengi and KiddWaya were the first scientists to find the cure!
Uncle Lai Mohammed, I hope you're watching Sir.
No need to close down the show again!#BBNaijia #BBNaija #bbnaijalockdown2020 #bbnlockdown #BBNajialockdown #kiddrica— Denrele Edun (@DENRELE_EDUN) July 24, 2020
