Rebuilding Sodom And Gomorrah

Despite the fact that Nigerian Legislators objected gay marriage in the country, some Nollywood stars are passing their own version of the message in respect of the controversial same sex marriage.

Foremost Nollywood producer and director, Dickson Iroegbu is set to release his latest movie titled – 'Law 58', a movie about homosexuality in Nigeria and its consequences.

The movie features Kanayo O Kanayo, Clarion Chukwurah, Halima Abubakar among others.

Prior to the debate of the legislators, the Nigerian society has not constructively addressed the issue of gay marriage and how it should be handled. Owing to this fact, some Nigerian movie producers thought it necessary not to pretend that it does exist and is secretly eating deep into the fabrics of our society. 

Producing such movies on one hand does not necessarily mean that they are in support of homosexuality which our culture, religion and tradition as Africans contravene, but they are rather joining forces with the society to emphasis that it is an ugly practice. On the other hand, it can be argued that such movies should not be acted at all as it does not speak well of our society.

Come to think of it, why should a Nigerian for that matter, even think of producing a film on homosexuality or anything related to it ?  Two days ago, a popular singer, Asa was to appear in a Lagos high court but was represented by her Lawyer. The musician is suing a Lagos-based celebrity magazine ‘News of the People’ for a published article alleging she is a lesbian.

Asa is suing the magazine as it is expected of her; because she quite understands the implication of lesbianism in the society she belongs and would not want to be linked to it in any way.

Another film that is threatening to make us the Sodom and Gomorah of today is ‘Dirty Secret’, a Nigeria gay film, featuring Tonto Dike.

The director of the much talked about movie, Theodore Anyanji has condemned critics who have dubbed the film as soft porn as ignoramuses. Anyanji says that the movie has to do with professional presentation which he argues, has a charge on the casts to present and interpret their roles well.

Professional or not, we first of all belong to a society and we are expected to consider the belief system of our society and project it in our life's endeavour. These excuses for professionalism at the expense of the society and what it preaches is depicting us as the Sodom and Gomorrah of today if not properly checked.

Our culture, forbids fornication in whatever form it is presented. We are not deceived by the US or the British, we have our norms and value and by that we stand. I make bold to say that no amount of intimidation will deter this stand.

Nollywood, as accepted as it is, should do more than allowing producers to add to or woes. The films sensors board should not just celebrate the number of films the movie industry has produced, but it should checkmate the act of tarnishing the image of our dear country.

For crying out loud, there are many issues these film producers can correct by producing films on. They are not exhausted and I am sure that the wont be- not in the near future. This is because every day different things unfold. The way is a moving car- encountering different places, bends, hill, valleys and rough roads. So there is really a lot out there.