- The Kano State Censorship Board has banned “after-party” and “hot challenge” activities at weddings and social events, describing them as practices that conflict with the state’s cultural, moral and religious values.
- Authorities warned that event centres, MCs and organisers who violate the directive risk legal sanctions, while residents have been encouraged to report offenders.
The Kano State Censorship Board has announced an immediate ban on activities known as “after-party” and “hot challenge” at weddings and other social events held in event centres across the state.
The directive was announced by the board’s Executive Secretary, Abba El-Mustapha, in a statement issued on Saturday through the board’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Sulaiman. According to the statement, the decision is part of ongoing efforts to enforce regulations guiding the activities of masters of ceremony (MCs) and event centres in Kano.
“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 board explained that the move aligns with its mandate to sanitise entertainment activities and ensure public events are conducted in line with Kano State’s cultural and religious values. It added that while entertainment remains an important part of weddings and celebrations, such activities must promote morality, respect local traditions and conform to religious teachings.
It also directed event centre operators, MCs, event planners and other stakeholders to comply with the new directive, warning that anyone found organising or promoting the suspended activities could face legal sanctions under the state’s laws.
The board further called on residents to support enforcement efforts by reporting any event centre or MC found violating the ban anywhere in Kano State.
