By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has asked the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to end the ongoing Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) show over fears that it might escalate cases of coronavirus in the country.
Mohammed’s directive was reportedly forwarded to the acting Director-Deneral of the NBC, Mr. Armstrong Idachaba, who on Wednesday, July 22, relayed the order to the management of the commission.
Idachaba said the Minister instructed the commission to use fears of spread of COVID-19 as the reason, while citing directives from the Presidential Task Force (PTF).
However, MultiChoice Ltd, the producers of the reality show, had explained to the NBC that it has secured the approval of the Lagos state government, to organize the show, having promised housemates and organising crew that it will strictly obey all the safety protocols against COVID-19.
The organisers had noted that they would ensure that global best practices, precautions, and preventive measures would be followed throughout the show especially as regards the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MultiChoice stated that it got the green light to go ahead with the show from Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC).
It would be recalled that the fifth season of the TV reality show premiered on Sunday, July 19.
The final selection of housemates followed the conclusion of the online auditions back in May which recorded over 30,000 entries from interested persons across Nigeria.
