>
The federal government has cancelled plans to build a “film village” in Kano after stiff opposition from Muslim clerics.
More than $10m (£7.6m) had been budgeted to provide state-of-the-art facilities for the Hausa language film industry, known as Kannywood but Muslim clerics kicked against it, saying it would promote immorality.
The government said the project would create thousands of job opportunities and promote cultural activities.
Locals have said the project is not a priority, insisting that government should instead focus on the revival of dams for agricultural development in the area.
A presidential adviser, Abdurrahaman Kawu Sumaila, announced the cancellation of the project, saying “the people have had their say, and the government has heeded them.”
A leading Kannywood actor and director, Ali Nuhu, told the BBC that he was confounded by the decision.
Ever since its creation more than 20 years ago, Kannywood has attracted a lot of criticism from the conservative society in the mainly Muslim city.
It has been accused of encouraging teenage girls to run away from home in the hope of becoming actresses.
Kannywood films are produced in the Hausa language and distributed in the Muslim-dominated north.
Most Nigerian films are produced in the south but in English and Pidgin-English.