Advocacy

Brussels, 12 February 2025 – Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) welcomes the European Parliament’s resolution condemning the continued detention and potential death sentence of Nigerian singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu. The resolution calls on Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sharif-Aminu and abolish blasphemy laws that violate international human rights standards.

The 9th edition of Freedom Vibes advocacy concert by Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA), took place on Sunday November 17, 2024, at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, to wrap up this year’s Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF). Centered around the theme, Art: A Beacon of Hope, the event beamed spotlight on the transformative power of the arts in advocating for change.

Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) is pleased to announce a significant progress in its advocacy for reforms in government actions and policies that hinder artistic freedom in Nigeria. In a suit filed by the filmmaker and supported by UVA (Suit No K/M2044/2024), Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Adam Abdullahi, on Wednesday 13th November 2024, restrained the Kano State Censorship Board and Chief Magistrate Court 60 Kano, from interfering with the operations of Kannywood filmmaker Hajiya Aisha Amart. The Court also granted leave to the filmmaker to apply for an order of certiorari to remove, for the purpose of its being quashed, the Accused Summons dated 13th February 2024 issued against the filmmaker by the Magistrate Court. The case was adjourned to 26th November 2024 for hearing of the Originating Summons.

Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) is set to support Kano-based TikToker Badoo in an ongoing legal battle over his creative content. Badoo recently appeared in court, pleading not guilty to charges brought against him by the Kano State Censorship Board. The board claims that he violated censorship laws through content posted on his YouTube channel.