The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bamidele Balogun, for imposing 5% levy on all audio and visual content streamed on all physical and digital platforms around Lagos.
In a statement on Saturday, the Commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, denied the claim that the state government gave the directive for the announcement.
He disclosed that an administrative inquiry has been set up to investigate the motives behind the purported move.
“The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr Bamidele Balogun, is said to have announced a 5% levy. The Government hereby dissociates itself from the said announcement in the media,” the statement said.
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It added, “The Executive Secretary, who was not authorised to make such an announcement, has been suspended, pending an administrative inquiry.
“The fifth pillar of the THEMES Agenda, the development policy of this administration, is Entertainment and Tourism. Practitioners are partners in our effort to ensure that Lagos State remains Africa’s leader in entertainment.”
Omotosho stated that the Sanwo-Olu’s administration was not insensitive to the fact that the creative industry has been badly hit by the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic.
He, therefore, urged stakeholders in the industry to disregard the publication and continue to remain partners with the state government in achieving its mandate in the entertainment industry.
This suspension is coming after a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Iroko TV, by the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board went viral requesting an immediate payment of 5% levy on all audio and visual content produced, sold, distributed, marketed, exhibited, streamed, downloaded and shared across all physical and digital platform situate, lying and being within the state.”
