Cinema and the ecological challenges in northern Nigeria: insights from the TV series, Sons Of The Caliphate

Abstract

Three prominent individuals, namely, Khalifa Maiyaki, the offspring of the Emir of Kowa Emirate, Nuhu Bula, the offspring of a prominent business magnate, and Dikko Loko, the progeny of a highly influential political figure, are portrayed as a collective entity referred to as the "Sons of the Caliphate," symbolizing the ruling class in northern Nigeria. Their behaviour, characterized by recklessness, corruption, and the exploitation of both humans and the natural environment, serves as the focal point of this discussion. This article delves into the analysis of ‘sticky potrayals of actors,’ i.e., specific filmic shots that stand out as symbolic representations, visually depicting the three main characters as representatives of a particular social class. By drawing on Murray Bookchin’s Eco-Socialism Theory (E-ST) and exploring the concept of power within these sensorial moments, the study examines how the film (Sons of the Caliphate) enables us to comprehend how the "Sons of the Caliphate" function as a corrupt agency that significantly contributes to the ongoing insecurity and humanitarian crises plaguing the northern region of Nigeria. The paper submits that there is a dearth of cinematic productions addressing the ecological challenges faced by northern Nigeria. Nonetheless, Sons of the Caliphate serves as a damning indictment of the political, traditional, and business elite in the region.