Stephen Ukandu, News /Features Editor
Nollywood actor, Anayo Modestus Onyenkwere, popularly known as Kanayo. O Kanayo, has disagreed with the Minister of Information and Culture, Chief Lai Mohammed, that the rising cases of ritual killings and love for money among youths are as a result of undue influence from Nollywood movies.
Kanayo rather blamed the menace on the ostentatious display of wealth by politicians, erosion of values in society, adverse effect of social media, failure of parents in their responsibilities towards their children, negligence by relevant government agencies, among others factors.
The Mbaise, Imo State-born veteran actor and lawyer, made the assertion Sunday evening while featuring on 90MinutesAfrica an online news program hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo and Chido Onumah.
Kanayo said: “The Minister misfired by accusing Nollywood of influencing ritual killings and money rituals through its movies. It’s a violation of the fundamental rights of creative writers and actors in Nigeria for the Minister to have made that comment. It wasn’t in good faith.
“There are things politicians do which have given prominence to what goes on in society. We need to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich. That’s the cause of ritual killings.
“The Minister should have called the stakeholders, including parents, and asked them: where are your daughters after 7:00pm to 8:00pm?
“Most parents now don’t care who brings their daughter home. Parents have big responsibility of what happens when their son without a meaningful job comes home with a car.
“In our time, you dared not bring home your girl friend, but now you will see a young Nigerian girl will proudly bring her boy friend home and introduce him to the parents. And what the parents care about is: how much is this guy bringing?
“Values have been lost. There is so much impunity in Nigeria today. Somebody is elected to public office and under six months he is riding a new Jeep.
“This is what is causing most of the things. What is the work of the National Orientation Agency? It should be sensitising Nigerians on the right values.
“The influence of social media which has a far wider reach than even the movies is also part of the causes,” he noted.
Kanayo advocated the introduction of what he called Unexplained Wealth Bill to help check questionable wealth among youths.
“Many Nigerians have to start explaining the sources of their sudden wealth. If they explain the source and it is genuine, then we start talking of paying taxes.
“Again, you ask yourself what kind of messages do the media promote? It is not fair to point accusing fingers at Nollywood as one industry that is promoting ritual killings.
“What messages go out from our religious leaders? Is it ‘receive it’ message for a young man who has no work? Where does that happen? In the Bible we read, God does not bless you unless you have something in your hand.”
When reminded that some youths caught in criminal acts had claimed they got inspiration from Nollywood movies, the veteran actor said that parents should take responsibility for what their children are exposed to.
“We are simply mirroring society. Parental guidance is very important. Most of the cartoons are more violent but because they are done by the white men nobody cares about the content.
“Parents have relinquished their responsibilities. Films give some people a new value of what they didn’t know, or think could happen, while to some others it hardens them.
“The inordinate flaunting of wealth especially by politicians is to blame. Politicians steal a lot of money. Then the issue of poverty. In Nigeria there is no social security. There is so much pressure on the youths to belong.
“Parents will have to do their jobs, but even parents are helpless and hopeless because of the economy. Some fathers have not received pension for two years. What do you expect them to do?
“Many parents have become irresponsible. They push their daughters to you. They don’t care where the money is coming from. Most girls call it ‘runs’ in Nigeria. They have to sleep and sleep with men just to feed the father and mother at home.
“If your daughter is in school and carries a phone of N500,0000, won’t you ask questions? What has it got to do with Nollywood? Values have been lost! We need to get back to basics. Daughters are now doing things that their parents are supposed to do,” the award-winning actor said.
