Popular Nollywood actor and producer Kevin Ikeduba has spoken out against industry misconduct, vowing never to give roles in exchange for sex.

In a recent interview on Hip TV’s “Trending,” Kelvin Ikeduba declared that he would rather die than cast unqualified actors in exchange for sex.

During the interview, Ikeduba expressed his frustration with the widespread unprofessionalism in Nollywood.

He emphasized his commitment to maintaining high standards in his work.

“The movie industry is very big. What works for A, may not work for B, Ikeduba said.

“Kevin that people know, would rather die instead of giving a girl a role for sex because I am very passionate about what I do. So most times, when I meet mediocre people on set, it hurts me. I will never ever do that,” he added.

Nollywood actor, Kelvin Ikeduba, recently had a fan encounter that was nothing short of a spectacle.

A lady, utterly gobsmacked, stumbled upon her favorite celeb hopping into a ride she labeled as public transport.

In the viral clip, the lady on a bike unleashes a scream that could wake the neighborhood as the okada rider speeds past the moving vibrant red vehicle, with Kevin Ikeduba and a bunch of others comfortably seated inside.

She couldn’t fathom why a celebrity of Kelvin Ikeduba’s stature would be spotted in a car that, in her perception, looked akin to public transport.

In a swift retort, Kelvin clarified that the car in question belonged to him and wasn’t a vehicle for public transport. However, the lady remained skeptical, persistently interrogating him.

Nollywood actress Ini Dima-Okojie revealed recently that the fibroids are back, but she will not be undergoing another surgery.

Dima-Okojie was first diagnosed with fibroids in 2017 and underwent surgery in November 2020. Last week she announced that she has again been diagnosed with fibroid.

In a fresh interview, the movie star opened up on how the benign tumour has affected her marriage.

Ini Dima-Okojie also cleared up misconceptions about how fibroids affect fertility in women.

In her words:

“First of all, there are some misconceptions with fibroids. People automatically think that once you have fibroids, then you cannot have kids.

Recently I was on a panel and the doctor actually said that it’s about two to three percent of fibroid cases that lead to infertility. So, there are things you’re looking out for when you have fibroids: how many, the size, and the location. The location determines how severe the case is. So if it’s a little to close to the uterus or on it, that is when it might be tricky if you’re trying to have kids.

When it comes to dealing with it in marriage, I really think it just depends on the kind of partner you have.”

Dima-Okojie lauded her husband for his support at every turn. She added:

“My husband is the most supportive husband. I was really stressing out about it when I found out it was back. I’ve cried. I was just not okay. Because I remember what that surgery was and it wasn’t funny. It wasn’t I was in and out of the hospital, I was in the hospital for like 4 days after. I couldn’t walk for so long after. It was painful so I couldn’t even imagine that I’d go through that again.

But Abasi is just the best guy. He is very comforting. He is very supportive of everything that I do, and he’s like “babe, you’ll be fine. Whatever it is, we’re together, we will deal with it.” It just depends on the kind of partner that you have and I’ve been so lucky that my support system is so strong.”

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has implored Nigerians to shelve the nationwide protest slated for August 1.

The association, who said it was not oblivious with the pain, anger and frustration that many Nigerians are experiencing, asked the citizens to explore other means of voicing their discontent. 

The religious group made their position known in a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Friday.

While it acknowledged that peaceful protest is a constitutional right of citizens, CAN said experience has shown that the planned protest could be hijacked by hoodlums.

The statement reads, “As we navigate this period of crisis, it is imperative to uphold the constitutional rights of every Nigerian to peacefully protest and express their grievances. 

“The right to assemble and voice discontent is a cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected and respected by all.

“Peaceful protests are a powerful tool for civic engagement, allowing the populace to communicate their concerns and hold leaders accountable. However, the anxiety related to the impending protests is heightening, especially given the volatile experiences in countries like Kenya and Pakistan.

“We must also draw from our recent history. The #ENDSARS and #RevolutionNow protests, though rooted in genuine grievances, were marred by tragic incidents where miscreants hijacked the process.

“This led to widespread looting, destruction of properties, and unfortunate loss of lives. These experiences have shown us that mass demonstrations can quickly degenerate into chaos if not properly managed and coordinated.

“In light of the planned protests scheduled to commence on 1st of August, CAN urges all Nigerians to consider alternative means of expressing their grievances. 

“We recommend giving the government more time to address these pressing concerns. This period should be used to explore other legal avenues that will not easily give hoodlums the opportunity to hijack the exercise to destroy our national assets or endanger lives and properties.

“Dialogue, petitions, and town hall meetings are viable options that can yield positive results without the risk of disorder.

“We call on the government to cut the cost of governance and expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. The opulent lifestyle of political office holders must be addressed to demonstrate the sincerity of those in government to improve the living conditions of the people.

“Likewise, it is imperative that the government implements the newly approved national minimum wage to provide immediate relief to struggling families.

“Furthermore, specific measures must be taken to put an end to kidnappings, banditry, and mass killings that have plagued various parts of our country. The security and well-being of every Nigerian should be paramount, and urgent action is required to restore peace and order.

“We also call on the government to expedite its efforts to alleviate the hardships in the land. There is an urgent need for more refined and effective policies that address the root causes of the economic challenges we face.

“The government must deepen its consultations with stakeholders, including religious leaders, to create a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to problem-solving. By working together, we can devise sustainable solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.

“In these trying times, let us all remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). As we seek to bring about positive change, let us do so with a spirit of peace, love, and unity. Our strength lies in our ability to come together, support one another, and work collectively toward a better Nigeria.

“We pray for wisdom and discernment for our leaders, resilience and hope for our citizens, and divine intervention to guide us through these difficult times.”

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has revealed the details of the meeting between traditional rulers and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Recall that Tinubu held an emergency meeting with Traditional Rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on Thursday.

The meeting was not unconnected to the imminent nationwide protest over the widespread hardship in the country. The protest is slated for August 1-10, 2024, on Thursday.

Speaking after the meeting, the monarch said Tinubu asked Nigerians who are dissatisfied with his administration to express their dissatisfaction at the polls and vote him out in the 2027 presidential election.

Ooni of Ife noted that Tinubu called for dialogue while reiterating his resolve to end the country’s economic hardship.

“The President has said, ‘Any leader that you don’t like, wait (until 2027) and vote him out.’ He is open to dialogue. We know that Nigeria faces many challenges. But are we going to destroy our nation by ourselves? Is that what we are all after?

“It is very difficult to build, but it is the easiest to destroy. We are all stakeholders in this country and are stronger as a nation than individually,” the Ooni of Ife said.

Tinubu had earlier said the sponsors of the protest are enemies of Nigeria, adding that his government is doing everything to address the challenges faced by Nigerians.

He also said Nigeria’s economy is on the path of recovery and gave assurance of better days.

This comes amid rising dissatisfaction among Nigerians on the state of the economy as core and food inflation stood at 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited said it is set to hire more workers.

A statement published on the company’s website on Friday, said the recruitment would be for various positions across various departments within the energy company.

“NNPC Ltd is pleased to announce that we are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments. We are seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page for application instructions,” Soneye stated.

NNPCL urged interested applicants to submit their applications through its official website, https://careers.nnpcgroup.com

This is the first recruitment exercise since it fully transformed into a limited company in 2022.

However, in a later update, the company saidits job application portal is currently experiencing downtime due to an ‘unprecedented’ surge in traffic.

Checks revealed that the agency’s website is displaying server error messages.

It wrote, “Due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd. career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times,” the statement reads, the company said on its X handle on Friday.

“Our technicians are working diligently to rectify the problem as quickly as possible. Please be assured that the application process deadline remains August 20, 2024.”

NNPC also reassured applicants of a transparent and merit-based recruitment process, urging capable Nigerians to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Wale Edun, the minister of finance, says over 600,000 households have benefited from the direct cash transfer programme of the federal government following the resumption of payments.

Edun spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the half-year review ministerial press briefing, themed, ‘Economic Recovery and Growth: Progress and Prospects 2024’.

On July 18, 2023, President Bola Tinubu ordered an immediate review of the conditional cash transfer scheme — an intervention initiative coordinated by the national social investment programme agency (NSIPA).

The president later suspended all programmes administered by NSIPA for six weeks, as part of a probe of alleged malfeasance in the management of the agency and its programmes.

During a radio interview session in Kaduna, Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, disclosed the federal government’s plan to resume the intervention schemes.

Speaking at the press briefing, the minister reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians and the government’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in its social protection initiatives.

“Following the resumption of payments, over 600,000 households have already received this direct transfer this week,” Edun was quoted as saying in a statement by in a statement on by Mohammed Manga, the ministry’s director of information and public relations.

Edun said the government has made significant strides in its economic reforms, “well on its way to achieving a step-change in the revenues of the government; closely in line with the budget for 2024”.

He also announced the government’s exit from the ways and means borrowing mechanism, highlighting successes of the government’s reforms while citing a projected budget deficit of 4 percent in the 2024 fiscal year.

Edun acknowledged the temporary hardships caused by the reforms but assured that Nigerians would soon benefit from the expected outcomes.

He said the government’s “well-coordinated economic policies are beginning to yield results, evidenced by the deceleration in inflation growth, a rise in foreign investments compared to the same period last year”.

The minister said one of the major priorities of the incumbent government in the immediate term is to reduce food prices and focus on providing all the necessary support to increase local food production, given the impact of high food prices on inflation.

He said efforts are underway to achieve this goal.

The minister said with the outcome of the first half of 2024, “the economy is turning the corner.”

Edun added that with macroeconomic stability, the economy is being well positioned for sustained and inclusive growth that creates jobs, lifts millions out of poverty, and drives domestic and foreign investments that would improve the general wellbeing of the average Nigerian.

The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Police Force has deployed 4,200 policemen in Abuja ahead of the planned nationwide protest.

The spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Friday, disclosed that the deployment was to ensure public safety, protection of protesters and to prevent the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.

Adeh added that Police operatives deployed include explosive ordinance device experts at various strategic locations.

She added that there would be raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, and stop and search operations, among others, in collaboration with sister security agencies.

The operatives of the FCT police command have intercepted a four-member syndicate while attempting to snatch a black Prado Jeep from the owner around Capital Hub in Jahi, Abuja.

The FCT command on Friday disclosed that the operation led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mabushi led to the arrest of two and the death of two as well.

The statement read partly: “On sighting the police operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, which resulted in a gun duel, but were over power by the police, as two suspects, Joshua Godfrey A.K.A. Dogo 44yrs and Abdulsalam Mamuda 29yrs both of Mabushi village, were arrested, while the two others were neutralised by the police, their blue Toyota Matrix operational vehicle with Reg. No. BWR 626 JB, was recovered.

“The two arrested suspects subsequently led police operatives to the recovery of another red Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. RBC 743 AH, which must have been snatched from an innocent resident.

“Exhibits such as arms, cutlass, dagger, scissors, and mobile phones were recovered from them.”

The FCT commissioner of police FCT, Benneth Igweh, while reaffirming the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties, urged residents and all medical facilities in FCT to be on watch out and to call the attention of the police to anybody sighted with bullet wounds.

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the educational experience for international students, promising a more welcoming environment under the new government.

Naija News reports that the phenomenon known as the ‘Japa Syndrome’ has seen many skilled Nigerians and students leaving the country for better opportunities abroad, including the UK.

Speaking at the Embassy Education conference, Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, highlighted the UK’s dedication to strengthening international educational ties.

“We aim to refresh existing partnerships and cultivate new ones globally. Education can be a bridge between our nations,” she stated.

Addressing past inconsistencies in policies towards international students, Phillipson acknowledged that previous governments had sent mixed signals and often used international students for political leverage.

She criticized the former administration for treating international students as “political footballs” instead of appreciating them as valued guests. Despite their substantial tuition contributions, international students often faced resentment.

Phillipson assured that the current UK government would adopt a more supportive and consistent approach toward international students.

She emphasized that international students are welcomed in the UK and that the government values their contributions to the academic community and society at large.

Phillipson highlighted a desire to create a supportive environment where international students can thrive, stating, “Britain welcomes those who come to study and meet our requirements.”

Phillipson also highlighted the importance of international partnerships in spreading educational opportunities worldwide. “Our global partnerships are vital for expanding opportunities. By collaborating, we can make significant progress globally,” she said.

Recognizing the courage of international students, Phillipson praised their bravery in adapting to a new culture away from their homes and families.

She expressed pride in the UK’s appeal as a destination for these students and pledged government support for their academic and career success.

The Secretary of State for Education outlined the post-study opportunities available to international students, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to facilitating their transition into the workforce.

She mentioned that international graduates can remain in the UK on a graduate visa for two years, or three years for PhD graduates, allowing them to work and contribute to the community.

Phillipson concluded by acknowledging the significant cultural and economic impact of international students on the UK.

“The UK wouldn’t be the same without them. Arts, music, culture, sport, food, language, humour – international students drive dynamism on so many levels. And of course, their contribution to the British economy is substantial.

“Each international student adds about £100,000 to our national prosperity. This impact is not just a national statistic. It’s felt in towns and cities right across the country,” she remarked.

President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged his participation in various protests throughout his political career but stressed the importance of maintaining non-violence during demonstrations.

The President made these remarks while receiving the Letter of Credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills Jr., at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

During the ceremony, President Tinubu emphasized the critical role of peaceful protests in a democratic society, highlighting that they are a fundamental aspect of democracy and a legitimate way for citizens to express their grievances.

However, he noted that no government would tolerate protests that escalate into violence, leading to the destruction of lives and property.

The President reiterated his commitment to sustaining democracy and its institutions in Nigeria, ensuring that citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression are protected.

He expressed optimism about the continued partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in areas of democratic governance and institutional support.

The President said, “Our relationship with America is rich. We believe in democracy and freedom. Some of your predecessors worked hard during our transition to democracy, and we remember the likes of Ambassador Howard Jeter.

“We look forward to Nigeria and the United States continuously working to expand cooperation on shared goals and democratic values.

“During the military era, we made our voices heard against dictatorship, and I was part of the group that engaged in peaceful protests without resorting to the destruction of property. We have worked hard to ensure 25 years of unbroken democracy, and I will continue to maintain this democracy.”

The President said in as much as he believes that demonstrations are part of democracy, “we will never encourage any protests that lead to the destruction of lives and property”.

Welcoming the U.S. State Department’s acknowledgement of Nigeria’s strategic role on the continent as Africa’s largest democracy, President Tinubu called on the U.S. government to pay more attention to Africa.

He further stated, “Nigeria is ready to play its role as the largest democracy in Africa that is worthy of emulation to other African countries, but we need more U.S. partnership on the continent that is beneficial to both sides. We believe in freedom, and we are providing the leadership to make Nigeria’s economy grow.”

Ambassador Mills affirmed U.S. support for Nigeria’s democracy and pledged support for bigger roles for Nigeria in the international arena.

Mills said, “Nigeria is crucial to the United States because we share democratic values, and we are ready to give you all the support.

“I am here to make sure that the relationship blossoms both on democracy and the economic side.”

Expressing the United States’ commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria on cybercrimes, the Ambassador announced the establishment of a special office at the Embassy to work closely with the Economic andF inancial Crimes Commission (EFCC).