Nollywood movie marketer, Kazim Adeoti, has spoken about criticism surrounding his marriage to actress Mercy Aigbe.

Naija News recalls that in January 2022, Mercy unveiled Adeoti as her husband, after which the first wife to the filmmaker, Funsho Adeoti, accused Mercy of snatching her husband.

However, Kazim defended his decision to marry a second wife, citing his Muslim faith.

Speaking on the controversies surrounding his marriage, Kazim, in an interview with journalists at the National Film and Video Censors Board’s (NFVCB) 4th Peace Ayiam Osigwe (PAO) Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference on Thursday in Lagos, said as a public figure, he cannot control others’ opinions or narratives about his marriage.

Kazim added that he stays focused on his work, believing the end justifies the means.

He said, “When you find yourself in the public domain, you cannot really control a whole lot of opinions or narratives. What is most important is for you to be focused and at the end of the day, the end justifies the means.” 

Kazim also discussed the challenges facing the Yoruba movie industry, highlighting funding as a significant obstacle.

According to the movie producer, collaboration and adequate funding are essential to producing high-quality movies that showcase original storylines and talented actors.

He added, “I think it is more of a collaboration issue because we have what it takes to shoot good movies. When it comes to the storyline, the originality, telling our real stories and fantastic actors, we have it all.

“But in most cases, what we are lacking is the funding and that is what limits our bringing those stories into reality. This is because we know if we do it this way, this is how it should be done but when we do not have the adequate funding, it limits the job.”

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has charged youths in the country not to push aside the admonition and advice from parents and the elders.

Naija News reports that the former Senator stated this while speaking on Thursday at the One Day workshop for women and youth on corruption prevention organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in Abuja.

The First Lady pointed out that the fight against corruption must begin in the homes where mothers must be at the forefront of the battle.

She said: “We must move beyond the desire to have our voices heard and step into roles where our actions are impactful. Let us take a moment to reflect on the words of our elders: ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. In the same vein, it takes the collective will of the entire nation to defeat corruption”.

Senator Tinubu urged mothers to take their role as nurturers more seriously especially as corruption is a societal challenge that strikes at the heart of development.

Mrs Tinubu said: “This menace is seen in every sector, from the trader in the market, to the private sector, government agencies, the judiciary and even in places of worship to mention a few and age is no barrier. It is for all of us and for the future of our beloved country, that we must remain resolute in our efforts to combat this scourge. We cannot leave this battle to government agencies alone.

“It is time for us to take our place as mothers, grandmothers, aunties, sisters, leaders and reformers to do the needful. Women are nurturers but recently, we have left our children to raise themselves with the excuse of providing a better life for them.”

In his address the chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, emphasized that the fight against corruption is one that the commission is determined to win and this is the reason for adopting the approach of involving mothers, youth and other critical stakeholders.

There were goodwill messages from representatives of the youth, Code of Conduct Bureau, JAMB and security agencies among others.

The registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede in his message noted that the mothers have a crucial role to play in ensuring that corruption is not integrated or perpetuated in the upcoming generation.

On the part of the Commissioner for Youth, Kogi State, students must move from protests to participation.

Eight governorship candidates of various political parties have declared support for the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ahead of the state gubernatorial election.

Naija News reports that Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election, stated this on Thursday in Akure during an interactive event organised by the Special Engagement Committee of the APC National Campaign Council.

Aiyedatiwa declared that the eight governorship candidates who declared support for him showed that the people of the state were with the APC.

The Governor appealed to his supporters not to relax until he is victorious in Saturday’s governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa said that the remaining hours before the election should be used to intensify the mobilisation drive towards delivering victory for the party.

He said, “We have only one agenda ahead of us; that is to deliver the victory on Saturday because we have campaigned across the state and listened to the plights of the people.

“Let us go back to our communities and continue the work; we must not be complacent; there are still works to be done and we must be ready to finish the work for ultimate victory.

“Just this morning, eight governorship candidates have declared support for us ahead of the election and that should tell us that the people are with us.” 

The Governor added that when elected, he would deliver on his promises to the people towards the development of the state.

Victor Osimhen scored a second-half goal to secure a 1-1 draw for Nigeria against the Benin Republic in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match.  

The Super Eagles had to dig deep to rescue a point against the Beninese at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Cote d’Ivoire, on Thursday.

Nigeria qualified for the 2025 AFCON before the ball was kicked against the Benin Republic. The team’s participation at the next AFCON was confirmed after Libya defeated Rwanda 1-0 minutes before the game.

However, the Beninese, led by Gernot Rohr, former Super Eagles head coach, needed a win to ensure a place in Morocco, and they made clear to Nigeria that they wanted the game more from the first whistle blast.

Victor Osimhen started his first game for the Super Eagles since the AFCON final in Cote d’Ivoire early this year. His inclusion in the squad added more threat to the Nigerian attack in the first few minutes. He almost assisted a goal for Alex Iwobi, but the Fulham midfielder could not sort his legs out after Osimhen headed the ball down for him inside the Benin Republic goal area.

Shortly after, Kelechi Iheanacho sent Osimhen through on goal, but the Beninese goalkeeper, Danjinou, beat the Galatasaray striker to the ball. The keeper’s flailing boots also caught Osimhen, who was in pain for a few minutes.

Benin Republic leveraged the numerical advantage and grabbed the game’s first goal. A short corner led to a cross floating into the Nigerian goal area. Mohamed Tijani was unmarked, and his header sent the ball between Stanley Nwabali’s leg and into the Nigerian goal.

Osimhen had an opportunity to reply immediately, but his glancing header sailed millimetres wide.

After halftime, Eguavoen brought on Raphael Onyedika and Moses Simon as the Eagles continued to find solutions to the troublesome Beninese defence.

The answer came only after 81 minutes, with Osimhen buying himself a little space inside the box before powering a header off a brilliant cross from Moses.

The strike was Osimhen’s 23rd goal for the Super Eagles. He equals Segun Odegbami’s tally as the second on the team’s all-time goalscorers chart.

With 11 points, the Super Eagles are assured of a top-spot finish in Group D of the qualifier. They face Rwanda in their final game of the qualification campaign in Uyo on Monday.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says the investments and securities bill (ISB) 2024 is proposing a penalty of not less than N20 million or 10 years imprisonment or both for ponzi scheme operators.

Emomotimi Agama, director-general of SEC, spoke at the public hearing of the bill on Thursday in Abuja.

Agama said the bill also prescribed stringent jail terms and other stiff sanctions for the promoters of ponzi schemes.

He said the commission introduced an express prohibition of ponzi and pyramid schemes and other illegal investment schemes to prevent illicit fund managers from fleecing unsuspecting Nigerians of their funds.

Agama also said the commission had observed areas which required review in the ISB 2007 to strengthen existing provisions, remove ambiguities, and introduce new provisions that would enhance the international competitiveness of the Nigerian capital market.

“A vital provision in the bill is the new stipulation that the Investor Protection Fund (IPF) set up by the securities exchanges would compensate investors who suffer pecuniary losses arising from the revocation or cancellation of the registration of a dealing member firm,” he said.

“In the extant law, compensation from the IPF is limited to instances of ‘bankruptcy’, ‘insolvency’ or other acts of ‘negligence’ by a dealing member firm.

 

“This bill also contains an entirely new part which provides for the regulation of Commodity Exchanges and Warehouse Receipts.

“These provisions are essential for the development of the entire Commodities ecosystem.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria needs and deserves a world-class capital market to facilitate on-going economic diversification.

“The passage and enactment of the Investments and Securities Bill will be a pivotal step in this direction.”

‘BILL WILL RESHAPE NIGERIA’S CAPITAL MARKET’

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the ISB 2024 was a beacon of hope for the nation’s economic landscape.

Akpabio, represented by Binos Yaroe, senator representing Adamawa, said the country is taking a bold step toward modernising its financial market and fostering transparency by repealing the ISB Act 2007.

He said the bill is designed to create a robust and equitable environment for investments to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.

On his part, Osita Izunaso, chairman of the senate committee on capital market, said a well-developed capital market which serves as the bedrock for long-term capital raising and industrial development, is imperative.

Izunaso said the capital market requires a strong legal framework that conforms to the evolving societal and global realities.

“You will all agree with me that fintech has caused a lot of disruptions in the capital market in recent years such that digital assets platforms are fast gaining ground as a critic aspect of the capital market ecosystem,” he said.

“Having operated the ISA 2007 for over 15 years, it has, therefore, become apparent that the law requires holistic review in order to strengthen its existing provisions, remove ambiguities, and introduce new provisions that will enhance the international competitiveness of the Nigerian capital market.”

Izunaso said the bill would help reposition the market strategically to fulfil its role as a critical segment of the Nigerian financial system.

The ECOWAS court of justice has dismissed a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) seeking N50 million compensation from the federal government for each victim of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. 

In March 2022, gunmen attacked an Abuja-bound Kaduna train with over 970 passengers onboard.

Many passengers were killed, several persons injured, while 61 were abducted during the attack.

All the abducted passengers were released at various intervals, with the latest batch freed after seven months.

Following the attack, SERAP filed a suit before the ECOWAS court against the federal government on behalf of some of the victims.

However, in the ruling on Thursday, the court held that SERAP’s claims were inadmissible because they failed to meet the “victim status” requirement essential for litigation under Article 10(d) of the same protocol.

Dupe Atoki, who delivered the judgement, described the case as “unsuitable as a public interest litigation” because the victims were “identifiable individuals rather than an indeterminate public group”.

 

“The court recognises its jurisdiction to hear the case as it involved potential human rights violations within a member state, in accordance with Article 9(4) of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol,” the court ruled.

“However, the court determines that the case does not meet the criteria for a public interest action, or actio popularis, which requires that the alleged violations affect a large, indeterminate segment of the public or the general public itself.”

The court added that the reliefs sought by the claimants, including specific monetary compensation, should have been directed at the identifiable victims of the attack, rather than the public at large.

In April, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) announced the arrest of Ibrahim Abdullahi, the suspected mastermind of the fatal train attack.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar campaign in 2023, as his special adviser on public communications and media.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement on Thursday that Tinubu also appointed Olawale Olopade as the director-general (DG) of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Abisoye Fagade as the director-general of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism.

The president also appointed Adebowale Adedokun as the DG of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

“Olopade, the new director-general of the National Sports Commission, is a sports administrator with many years of experience in the sector,” the statement reads.

 

“He served as commissioner of youth and sports in Ogun state and was chairman of the local organising committee of the 2024 national sports festival.

“The new director-general of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Abisoye Fagade is a marketing communication professional. He is the founder and managing director of Sodium Brand Solutions.

“Adedokun, the new helmsman of the Bureau of Public Procurement, was the director of research/training and strategic planning at the bureau before his appointment.

 

The special adviser on public communications and media, Mr. Daniel Bwala is a lawyer and notable public affairs analyst.

“The president enjoins the newly appointed officers to discharge their duties with dedication, patriotism, and excellence.”

In January, Bwala said he would appreciate it if Tinubu offered him any form of appointment.

Bwala said he was not supporting Tinubu’s administration because of an appointment.

 In the buildup to the 2023 elections, Bwala dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawyer had said that he was committed to supporting Tinubu’s administration to succeed.

During a visit to the president, Bwala said if supporting the president would take him back to the APC, “so be it”.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says Nigeria’s oil production has reached 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd).

According to NAN, Lawal Musa, NNPC chief production war room officer, spoke during a briefing on the national oil company’s production on Thursday.

Musa, who doubles as a senior business advisor to Mele Kyari, NNPC group chief executive officer (GCEO), said the increased oil production followed the continuous dislodgement of pipeline vandals and crude oil thieves.

He said the achievement was based on the partnership between the leadership of the company, stakeholders, and security agencies.

“We achieved this because of the clear mandate by President Bola Tinubu to ramp up crude oil production in the country,” Musa said.

On November 11, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said Nigeria’s current production level, including crude oil and condensates, has reached 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd), up from 1.54 million bpd in September.

Enorense Amadasu, executive commissioner of development and production at NUPRC, said there are plans to raise the figure to 2 million bpd by year-end.

Amadasu said the country’s crude oil and condensate output is expected to increase amid a plan to open bids for 31 onshore and offshore oil blocks.

The next day, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production, excluding condensates, increased marginally to 1.33 million bpd in October.

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved a $2.2 billion external borrowing plan to strengthen the country’s finances and support economic reforms.

Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, spoke to journalists at the end of the FEC meeting on Thursday, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

The minister said the financing package will be raised through a combination of eurobonds and sukuk.

He said approximately $1.7 billion is expected from the eurobond offer and $500 million from the sukuk financing.

The minister disclosed that the borrowing would happen this fiscal year, stressing that the ultimate funding arrangement would be decided by market conditions and the transaction adviser’s counsel.

“The first objective is to complete the federal government’s external borrowing programme with the approval of the $2.2 billion financing package, which will include access to the international capital market through a combination of Eurobonds and Sukuk bonds —approximately $1.7 billion from the Eurobond offer and $500 million from Sukuk financing,” Edun said.

“The actual composition of the financing will be finalised once the national assembly has considered and approved the borrowing plan. 

“After the external borrowing approval is granted, the funds will be raised as soon as possible within the year.

“The exact combination of instruments will depend on the advice of transaction advisers and market conditions when we decide to enter the market.

“Earlier in the year, we demonstrated the resilience of the Nigerian financial markets and their capacity to handle more complex and sophisticated offerings, such as the domestic issuance of dollar bonds that attracted investors from both Nigeria and abroad.”

Edun said the success of the domestic dollar bond demonstrates the Nigerian financial market’s tenacity.

He said the most recent overseas borrowing was “made possible by the government’s economic agenda, which includes market-based pricing for important economic variables like foreign exchange and petroleum goods”. 

‘FEC APPROVED $250 BILLION HOUSING FUND’

The minister said the council also approved the establishment of a N250 billion real estate investment fund with the goal of addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

“Approval has been granted for the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) real estate investment fund,” he said.

“This fund will serve as the basis for the revival of long-term mortgage financing in the Nigerian economy.

“The MOFI real estate investment fund will initially amount to N250 billion and will provide low-cost, long-term mortgages to Nigerians who wish to acquire homes. It will help address part of the 22 million-unit housing deficit.

“Of course, it will create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and pave the way for other private sector investors to participate in the housing construction industry, with significant benefits for the broader economy.

“The concept is long-term. Investors will have the opportunity to earn market rates of interest and returns on investment, blended with seed funding of N150 billion.”

Edun said the initiative will provide Nigerians with the opportunity to secure mortgages at interest rates significantly lower than the current market rates, which can exceed 30 percent, with tenures that could extend up to 20 years or more.

On November 16, voters in Ondo state will head to the polls to decide who will pilot the state’s affairs for the next four years. Nothing is certain yet. Either the status quo will remain or change.

In the last few months, political gladiators in and outside the state have been making moves to woo voters.

However, the political tension in Ondo is not as heated as the September governorship election in neighbouring Edo state, where Monday Okpebholo was elected governor.

Unlike the Edo election, the build-up to the Ondo election has been relatively peaceful and devoid of heated political dramas.

 

Two former deputy governors — Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — have been tipped as favourites to win the Ondo election. The two politicians are not newcomers to the state’s political system.

Ajayi, 56, served as the deputy governor of Rotimi Akeredolu, then governor of the state, from 2017 to 2021. He fell out with Akeredolu in the build-up to the 2020 governorship election.

Ajayi defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the election but lost in the primary to Eyitayo Jegede. He then moved to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), where he clinched the party’s governorship ticket. Akeredolu also picked Aiyedatiwa as his running mate.

The former deputy governor came a distant third in the election, which was won by the joint ticket of Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.

Following Akeredolu’s death in December, Aiyedatiwa became Ondo governor.

Although Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi are favourites to win the Ondo election, Abass Mimiko, candidate of the ZLP, is an underdog in the race.

TheCable further provides a lowdown on the three major candidates

AIYEDATIWA: THE ‘LUCKY’ GOVERNOR EYEING A FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM

Born on January 12, 1965, Aiyedatiwa hails from Obenla, an oil-producing community in Ilaje LGA of the state. He is a businessman and former commissioner of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Aiyedatiwa attended Saint Peter’s UNA Primary School, Obenla and Ikosi High School, Lagos. He obtained a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from Lagos State College of Education in 1986, and he also got an advanced diploma from the University of Ibadan. In 2013, he obtained a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Fate smiled at the former deputy governor in December 2023 after Akeredolu’s death. Aiyedatiwa was immediately sworn in as the new governor of the state to complete the four-year term of his late principal.

Although Aiyedatiwa has repeatedly denied the insinuations, the relationship between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu had turned sour in the dying moments of the late governor.

Political analysts have argued that Aiyedatiwa, who was believed to be a political neophyte, would not have gotten the governorship ticket of APC if Akeredolu was alive. Olusola Oke, the most influential politician from Aiyedatiwa’s LGA, was said to be Akeredolu’s favourite. Nonetheless, Aiyedatiwa beat Oke, who came in third, during the APC primary election to clinch the ticket. Oke, who was said to have brought the governor into state politics, has since collapsed his political structure to support Aiyedatiwa.

At the moment, the governor is unarguably the strongest candidate in the race owing to the incumbency power and the popularity of the APC in the state. APC has been a force to reckon with in Ondo since the 2016 election.

Aiyedatiwa also enjoys the support of top APC chieftains in and outside Ondo.

However, it appears that the governor is yet to pacify some of Akeredolu’s loyalists, who were not pleased with the politicking that took place when the former governor was sick.

In what appears to be a political move to pacify Akeredolu’s kinsmen, Aiyedatiwa selected Olayide Adelami as his deputy governor and running mate. Adelami hails from Owo, the same town as late Akeredolu.

Speaking during a campaign rally, Aiyedatiwa promised to carry out more infrastructural projects across the state, if elected governor.

He said his administration has touched every sector of the state in the last 10 months, adding that he would do more if elected.

Critics of Aiyedatiwa have argued that governance and election are not based on luck. The question in the minds of many is, “Will Lucky be lucky this time around?”

AJAYI: THE CANDIDATE WITH THE MOST POLITICAL EXPERIENCE

Born on September 24, 1968, Ajayi hails from the Kiribo community in Ese-Odo LGA of Ondo state.

He had his primary and secondary education at Community High School in Kiribo and Methodist High School, Okitipupa, after which he bagged a law degree at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo state, and was called to bar in 2010.

Before he became Akeredolu’s deputy governor, he had been in politics as far back as 1988, when he was the Social Democratic Party chairman of Old Opoi Ward 1. He later moved to PDP and served in different political positions in the LGA. He was elected as the chairman of Ese-Odo LGA from 2004 to 2007. Ajayi was also elected as a lawmaker to represent Ilaje/Ese-Odo in the house of representatives from 2007 to 2011. In Ondo south, many call him the grassroots politician.

This is the second time Ajayi will be on the ballot for the Ondo governorship election. The former deputy governor contested the 2020 election under the umbrella of the ZLP. He came a distant third with 69,127 votes.

This time around, Ajayi is contesting the election under the platform of a major political party — the PDP.

To become the governor of the state, Ajayi must beat his closest challenger, Aiyedatiwa. The duo are from the same senatorial district — Ondo south. Ajayi hails from Ese-Odo LGA, while Aiyedatiwa is from Ilaje LGA. Ilaje/Ese-Odo used to be one LGA until they were separated.

Since the votes from Ondo south will be divided between Ajayi and Aiyedatiwa, the two other senatorial districts — Ondo north and Ondo central — will play a deciding role in the race.

Speaking during a recent debate, Ajayi accused Aiyedatiwa of “destroying” Akeredolu’s Amotetun legacy and that the security of the state has deteriorated under the incumbent governor.

“I must give it to our late boss; he had the courage and boldness to say we must establish Amotekun which is more or less a state police arrangement,” Ajayi had said.

“But unfortunately these days, that legacy is almost destroyed by the incumbent governor.”

Ajayi said he would strengthen the Amotetun security outfit with modern equipment if elected governor.

WILL ABBAS MIMIKO ACHIEVE HIS BROTHER’S FEAT?

Mimiko, from Ondo town, is a senior consultant psychiatrist and psychologist. He obtained his bachelor of medicine and surgery degrees from the University of Lagos in 1987. He worked in the United States and is said to be board-certified in psychiatry and neurology in America. He is also a published poet.

Mimiko will surely pray to attain what his elder brother, Olusegun Mimiko, achieved during the 2007 and 2012 Ondo governorship elections with the LP.

This time around, another Mimiko is eyeing the number one seat in Ondo under the platform of the ZLP. Although he is a political newbie, he is hoping to pull out a surprise move to defeat other candidates.

Recently, Mimiko said he does not need his brother’s endorsement to win the November 16 election, and what he needs is the endorsement of the people of the state.

In his manifesto, Mimiko promised to implement the seven Ks agenda if elected governor.

The seven Ks initiatives were worded in the Yoruba language. The agenda seeks to end hunger, provide clean water, create jobs, and ensure quality education and healthcare in Ondo state.

However, Mimiko is from Ondo central. His chances are dim with the two major candidates coming from Ondo south, where the next governor is expected to come from based on the unwritten power rotational system in the state.

Only time will tell whether he will pull a surprise like his brother, Olusegun Mimiko, a former governor of the state, who won the election under the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE RACE:

Ebiseni Nehemiah — Labour Party

Falaiye Ajibola — Accord Party

Omolere Akinuli — Action Alliance

Ajayi Adekunle — African Action Congress

Akinnodi Ayodeji – African Democratic Party

Popoola Olatunji — All Progressives Grand Alliance

Ogunfeyimi Isaac — Allied Peoples Movement

Fadoju Amos Babatunde — Action Peoples Party

Olugbenga Omogbemi — New Nigeria Peoples Party

Ajaunoko Jenyo — National Rescue Movement

Alli Babatunde Francis — Peoples Redemption Party

Akingboye Benson Bamidele — Social Democratic Party

Adegoke Kehinde Paul — Youth Party

Akinmurele Otiloloju — Young Progressives Party