Sugar Rush has returned to the cinemas, the National Film and Video Censors Board has announced.

This was confirmed in a tweet by the regulatory body after the movie was placed on cinema ban earlier in the month.

According to the Board’s Executive Director, Adedayo Thomas, the movie was suspended because the temporary approval obtained for the movie expired before a permanent approval could be issued for its exhibition at the cinemas.

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The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has reacted to Nigerians agitation that the movie “Sugar Rush” be returned to cinemas. NFCVB in its reaction to the #BringBackSugarRush trend on Twitter said the action to ban the movie from showing in cinemas is in no way an intention to stifle creativity. “…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 Board’s Executive Director, Adedayo Thomas stated. According to Thomas, the temporary approval given for the movie exhibition expired before a permanent approval could be issued. “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.” Thomas said he is currently working with stakeholders to get the movie back in cinemas in no time. “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.” Cc: Vanguardngr

A post shared by Mo Lawani (@zelafrica) on Jan 13, 2020 at 11:59pm PST

At present, Sugar Rush has been granted approval to air in cinemas.

Part of the statement obtained by MyNigeria read:

"The past week has been eventful for us as an organization with diverse speculations in the media on the perceived ban of Sugar Rush movie at the cinemas while we were still doing our due diligence on the movie for final approval.

"We are pleased to inform the general public that the movie has been classified and granted final approval for public screening."

The board also thanked the presidency for being very supportive of the industry efforts.

2. We are pleased to inform the general public that the movie has been classified and granted final approval for public screening.

3. However, It is expedient to use this opportunity to reiterate our position that the President @MBuhari led administration @NigeriaGov has been..

— NFVCB Nigeria (@nfvcbng) January 16, 2020

Sugar Rush was written and directed by Kayode Kasum. The 2019 Nigerian action comedy film stars Bimbo Ademoye, Bisola Aiyeola and Adesua Etomi-Wellington in the lead roles. It was first released on December 25, 2019.