On the 11th of January, Jade Osiberu, the Producer of the much talked about movie “SUGAR RUSH” took to her Instagram Page to announce the suspension of “SUGAR RUSH”  from the Cinemas by The National Film and video censors board.

She posted with the caption” Oluwa Is Still Involved” #BringSugarRushMovieBack

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The movie which hit the cinemas on the 25th of December 2019 grossed 110 million naira in 7 days after release to become the fastest Nollywood film to gross 100 million naira in 2019.

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The film features a constelation of stars with Banky W, Adesua Etomi- Wellington, Bisola Aiyeola, Bimbo Ademoye, Mawuli Gavor, Toke Makinwa, Tobi Bakre and  others picking up major roles.

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Nigerians have expressed their displeasure at this news, many have owed the reason for the suspension to many hear-says.

-Some took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the ban

One tweet said,

Yanking Sugar Rush because it embarrassed a government agency is wrong wrong wrong! It is quite clearly an absurd abuse of power! Agencies must understand that they serve the Nigerian people and not the other way around! Let the movie come back!

Another tweet said, At the premiere of Sugar Rush, a part of me thought “I hope they don’t ban this film for the subtle government criticism” and then I was like nahhh probably not, we’re problematic but not THAT problematic.

I really underestimated our penchant for nonsense.

I saw sugar rush with my cousin on Monday, truth be told I was worried our government will not like it

Was it interesting? Yes

Entertaining? Yes

We laughed and laughed and we learnt so much. Its a must watch y’all !

Abeg lift the ban! said another tweet

Reacting to the outrage online, The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has come out to explain the reason for suspending the screening of the ‘Sugar Rush’ movie.

NFVCB, in a statement on its Facebook page signed by Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director said, ‘Sugar Rush’ was suspended in cinemas because the temporary approval given for the movie exhibition has expired.

The Board, however, assured Nigerians that the movie will be back in cinemas soon.

In a statement on its official Facebook page, NFVCB wrote:

 It has come to our notice that #BringBackSugarRush is currently gaining momentum on Twitter with many speculating a ban on the movie “Sugar Rush” and presuming the supposed action as a sign of government’s intention to stifle creativity.

This is however not the case as the President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR led administration Aso Rock Villa is rather in support of the creative industry and has been promoting it as one of the avenues to diversify the nation’s economic base.

 The movie has not just significantly increased box office #revenues within a short period, but has improved our cinematic culture which are sine qua non for attracting the #investment we so much desire as a nation.

 I however take responsibility for the gap in communication and the delay in granting final approval as the temporary approval given for the movie exhibition expired before we could release an official statement due to my preoccupation with extant responsibilities and backlog of movies requiring approval as a result of the December rush.

I am currently working with the distributor, producer, director and key actors to grant final approval for the resumed exhibition at #cinemas.

All hands are on deck and we are committed to serving your entertainment needs within the ambits of the law.