Kano State has imposed an immediate suspension on activities commonly referred to as “after-party” and “hot challenge” during wedding ceremonies and other social gatherings held at event centres across the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Censorship Board, Abba El-Mustapha, announced the directive in a statement released on Saturday by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Sulaiman.
According to the statement, the action forms part of the board’s continuing efforts to enforce compliance with regulations guiding the operations of masters of ceremony and event centres throughout 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 said.
The statement explained that the decision was also taken in line with the board’s responsibility to sanitise entertainment activities and ensure public events are organised in accordance with the cultural and religious values upheld in the state.
It stressed that the board supports decent and responsible entertainment at weddings and other social functions, provided such activities uphold morality, respect the people’s culture and align with religious teachings.
It added that entertainment continues to play an important role in ceremonies when conducted within acceptable ethical standards.
The board also instructed all event centres, MCs, event organisers and other stakeholders involved in social events to fully comply with the directive, warning that any individual or organisation that violates the suspension could face appropriate legal sanctions under the laws administered by the board.
The board further appealed to residents of the state to support its efforts by reporting any event centre or MC found engaging in or encouraging the suspended activities.
It added that such reports should be submitted without delay and must concern incidents that occur within Kano State.
