The nation may once again play host to the Big Brother Africa (BBA) III very soon.  Naturally, this has generated public outrage from Nigerians who feel that the values projected by the programme are not only un-African but also morally deprived. What appears rather strange is the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) muteness on this revolting show. This is an instance where silence cannot be qualified as golden.

From its inception, the BBA was been greeted with a loud and persistent outcry from many people. Dr Latetitia A’daudu in her Big Brother Nigeria (The Guardian, May 10, 2006) stated that, “the constant manner in which these inmates are watched is reminiscent of the way children go to watch caged animals in the zoo”. Similar remarks have been made in succeeding years. Dr. Reuben Abati, Big Brother Africa II - Pornography and Money (The Guardian, September 16, 2007); Mr Leo Uzo, We do not want Big Brother III (The Guardian, June 10, 2008) and Mr Tayo Fagbula, Big Brother III (The Guardian, June 18, 2008). If I still remember correctly, the House of Representatives condemned the show last year.

NBC has many statutory responsibilities. Some of which are: “regulating and controlling the broadcast industry; promoting Nigerian indigenous cultures, moral and community life through broadcasting; regulating ethical standards and technical excellence in public, private and commercial broadcast stations in Nigeria; determining and applying sanctions including revocation of licenses of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in the public interest;” etc., (cf: National Broadcasting Commission Decree No 38 of 1992, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and National Broadcasting Commission (Amendment) Decree No 55 of 1999).

Big Brother also breaches several Sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, like the following: “3.6.1: Obscene, indecent and vulgar language, expression, presentation or representation is prohibited. 3.6.4: the use of lewd and profane expression shall be avoided. 3.7.1: X-rated programme and all forms of pornography shall not be broadcast. 3.7.5: Sex related acts such as adultery, prostitution, rape, bestiality, homosexuality, lesbianism, incest which are considered bad shall not be presented except as destructive practices to be avoided or denounced”.

The NBC, from the foregoing, owe an explanation to Nigerians why the programme is still being inflicted on us. Perhaps they are not yet aware of the broadcast, though I rather doubt that. The content of BBN does not promote any Nigerian culture, is totally immoral and does grave damage to the family. Besides, it does not satisfy any of the conditions mentioned in the laws laid down for broadcasting in Nigeria. The NBC must therefore put a stop to this show of shame because they are empowered to do so. It cannot shrink its responsibilities in this regard. I do not intend to go into the casuistry of the reasons why Big Brother should be banned, as the articles cited (in the second paragraph) above have dully exhausted it.

Currently, the most fashionable approach to moral issues is to say many things without saying anything, i.e. being ‘politically correct’. Thus the glide path is to avoid any contentious issue, so as not to hurt the sensitivities of some people who do not like the truth. In summary, you either avoid taking a stand, or side the powerful minority. The prevailing ‘wisdom’ is that it is primitive and outlandish to tackle moral questions. If you insist, then get ready to be branded as voyeuristic, hypocritical or Victorian. Interestingly, this was the reasoning of Mr Adekuunle Shotubo in Letters to the Editor (The Guardian, June 22, 2008).

Does not mean that the truth has to be sacrificed on the altar of enlightenment or progress? The BBA is not only morally bankrupt but also a slight on the value system of this country. It is a canonization of idleness, bitterness, knavishness – vices that are totally un-brotherly – and a brutal assault on the traditional values of the family. At the risk of sounding redundant, I return to my original proposition that BBA can neither pass as an educational nor an entertainment programme. Above all, Big Brother is creating a new trend, an abuse of the individual’s privacy and a deification of ‘false’ stardom (false because, the inmate who eventually wins does not posses any worthy talent that can be emulated). It’s only worth lies in the millions of naira that the initiators of programme rake in at the expense of Nigerians.

The National Broadcasting Commission should know that most Nigerians are waiting for them to act. It is my hope that the commission takes up this challenge and brings back sanity to our airwaves. This is not the time to siddon look. We are tired of medicine after death; the usual approach of offering apologies when the programme had already ran its course. The NBC should kindly stand up and be counted.

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 05.08.2008 22:23

i-go-better  Villager

# 2 I vehemently hate injustice anywhere. But I will certainly cringe at supporting the creation of more States in any part of THIS Nigeria. Imagine creating another State in the S/East only for the Ubas, Nzeribes, Ofors etc to take unfettered control of its socio-political cum economic distribution platform! A situation where who holds a political post down to as lowly and elementary as Local Government Councillorship is determined by these nitwits and fraudsters, should not be encouraged by creating more comfort zone fiefdoms in the name of a State for them. Let all efforts be geared towards filtering off these gangsters from the Polity. State creation would then become necessary and desirable. Posted by i-go-better| 06.08.2008 03:50

denker  Villager

# 3 =i-go-better;4295079904>I vehemently hate injustice anywhere. But I will certainly cringe at supporting the creation of more States in any part of THIS Nigeria. Imagine creating another State in the S/East only for the Ubas, Nzeribes, Ofors etc to take unfettered control of its socio-political cum economic distribution platform! A situation where who holds a political post down to as lowly and elementary as Local Government Councillorship is determined by these nitwits and fraudsters, should not be encouraged by creating more comfort zone fiefdoms in the name of a State for them. Let all efforts be geared towards filtering off these gangsters from the Polity. State creation would then become necessary and desirable. nna, my bruder, i-go-better ..we no dey talk about state creation here o...:D back to main point..moving on...! Nwachukwu Egbunike: ...unchain your mind, bring your soul to a level of absolute state of equilibrium and liberate your subconsciousness of spiritual barbarism...the world is enough for all of us..mind you, you're not alone...live your life to a total level of extremity bearing in mind dat you're not taking anybody with you when the DEATH comes knocking at your door to take the last BREATH out of you..nobody coerces you to watch Big brother,absolutely no exertion of force/pressure, so why worry about it...see u get...? Let the show go on, my bruder! Nigeria is not yet Islmic Nation....you can have all your heart desire in Saudi-arabia...au revoir! Posted by denker| 06.08.2008 08:50

Elegg  JJC

# 4 =denker;4295079956>nna, my bruder, i-go-better ..we no dey talk about state creation here o...:D back to main point..moving on...! Nwachukwu Egbunike: ...unchain your mind, bring your soul to a level of absolute state of equilibrium and liberate your subconsciousness of spiritual barbarism...the world is enough for all of us..mind you, you're not alone...live your life to a total level of extremity bearing in mind dat you're not taking anybody with you when the DEATH comes knocking at your door to take the last BREATH out of you..nobody coerces you to watch Big brother,absolutely no exertion of force/pressure, so why worry about it...see u get...? Let the show go on, my bruder! Nigeria is not yet Islmic Nation....you can have all your heart desire in Saudi-arabia...au revoir! I cant stop laughing Posted by Elegg| 06.08.2008 11:27

ifeolooni  Villager

# 5 u know having to watch live nude show without paying for it is quite facinating,naija has bcome a dumping ground for anythin. for god sake we have the apprentice,big brother and now dragons den where is nigeria next top model,i cnt wait for. all this ratings and advert inspired program from the west sure tickles nigerians Posted by ifeolooni| 06.08.2008 15:44

Triple Palaver  Villager

# 6 =denker;4295079956>nna, my bruder, i-go-better ..we no dey talk about state creation here o...:D back to main point..moving on...! Nwachukwu Egbunike: ...unchain your mind, bring your soul to a level of absolute state of equilibrium and liberate your subconsciousness of spiritual barbarism...the world is enough for all of us..mind you, you're not alone...live your life to a total level of extremity bearing in mind dat you're not taking anybody with you when the DEATH comes knocking at your door to take the last BREATH out of you..nobody coerces you to watch Big brother,absolutely no exertion of force/pressure, so why worry about it...see u get...? Let the show go on, my bruder! Nigeria is not yet Islmic Nation....you can have all your heart desire in Saudi-arabia...au revoir! For the first time in your existence, you are making a lot of sense... . :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Posted by Triple Palaver| 06.08.2008 19:15

denker  Villager

# 7 ok, Triple Palaver, me don notice you, now make you go play with your age-group..au revoir! Posted by denker| 07.08.2008 04:14

pH_bomboy  Villager

# 8 I bet sey this man set him VHS/DVR to record the show in private....:D.... come turn around dey yan opaks because him favourite person for the show no win.... my brother... you get no right to tell 140,000,000 people sey you dey morally righteous than dem... turn your TV off... spend the time wey big brother dey air for church to cast out the BBN demon from ya house, den turn around go back your house play back the episode wey you record to see if the BBN demon casting-out work, if em no work, repeat the process again....:biggrin: Or..... Like person previously comment, move go Saudi Arabia or Iraq... Better yet North Korea... Posted by pH_bomboy| 07.08.2008 05:46

nijalaw  Villager

# 9 BBA is shown exclusively on DSTV which is a pay per view channel. Those who subscribe have the options of watching, not watching & through filtering regulate it's viewing by minors. If you view the content of our Nollywood videos, BBA is even more modest & realistic. How about the VCD & DVD sellers hawking & selling x-rated movies to anyone, even minors. I remember I & my friends buying adult movies, magazines & VHS or Betamax videos in the early eighties when were in our teens unhindered. Those Senators & Reps live dubious lifestyles. Check them out in the evenings & see them cavorting with all sorts, sizes, shapes & ages of women. You may be deceived by them but not me. There are more important things happening daily than BBA that are affecting & bringing down the moral fabric of our society. Posted by nijalaw| 07.08.2008 11:31