The Kano State Censorship Board has announced the immediate suspension of activities popularly known as “after-party” and “hot challenge” at wedding ceremonies and other social events held in event centres across the state.
The directive was announced on Saturday by the Executive Secretary of the board, Abba El-Mustapha, in a statement issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Sulaiman.
According to the statement, the decision is part of the board’s ongoing efforts to enforce regulations guiding the activities of masters of ceremony (MCs), event centres and organisers of social gatherings in Kano State.
The board said it had observed a growing trend of the activities, describing them as Western cultural practices that are increasingly being introduced into wedding celebrations in the state.
“The attention of the board has been drawn to the growing trend of this activity, which is considered a Western cultural practice increasingly introduced into wedding celebrations in the state.
“Consequently, the board has suspended the practice in order to safeguard the cultural, moral and religious values of the people of Kano State,” the statement read.
The board explained that the move aligns with its mandate to sanitise entertainment activities and ensure that public events are conducted in line with the cultural and religious values upheld in the state.
While reaffirming its support for responsible entertainment, the board noted that music, performances and other forms of recreation remain welcome at weddings and social events, provided they promote morality, respect local traditions and conform to religious teachings.
It also directed event centre operators, MCs, event planners and other stakeholders to comply fully with the new directive, warning that anyone found violating the suspension could face legal sanctions under the state’s relevant laws.
The board further appealed to residents to support the enforcement of the directive by reporting any event centre, MC or organiser found promoting or hosting the banned activities.
