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Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has revealed that her colleague, Ruth Kadiri, was the driving force behind her decision to embrace YouTube filmmaking.

The veteran actress made the disclosure during an interview on the Nollywood on Radio podcast, where she recounted how Kadiri persistently encouraged her to join the digital film revolution.

Omotola, 47, said the conversation happened in 2023 while she was on vacation.

‘I came on vacation in 2023, and Ruth called me. She said, ‘Mama, do you know what’s going on? There’s a whole revolution with YouTube.’ She showed me numbers and everything,’ Omotola said.

According to her, Kadiri described YouTube as a ‘phenomenal’ platform that gives creators control over their content.

‘She told me, ‘You can do what you want on YouTube, but I think you should get in on this. You would do very well.’ She didn’t let me rest,’ Omotola added.

Eventually, the pressure paid off.

‘That girl gave me no peace of mind. So I called my producer and said, ‘Let’s just try something.’ We shot the first project in four days and used the fifth day for cleanup. I surprised myself. I was thankful to her for giving me the courage to try.’

Omotola said the success of her first YouTube project inspired her to shoot Mother’s Love, a feature film that later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

‘Mother’s Love came because I was under pressure. I just told my producer, ‘What if we did a feature film?’ and that was it. We started planning immediately and shot it in less than two weeks,’ she said.

The actress admitted she initially felt self-conscious about her return to the screen but decided to push through.

‘It took long to release because I was scared people might laugh at me or say it wasn’t good enough,’ she added.

Omotola’s move to YouTube marks a major shift in Nollywood, as more filmmakers explore the platform to reach global audiences.

Last year, Ruth Kadiri explained her own transition to YouTube, saying it allowed her more creative freedom away from the ‘too many regulations’ in traditional Nigerian film production.

A City investment banker, Damilare Ajao, may be heading to jail after falsely claiming that his female manager sexually harassed him by commenting on his string vest.

Ajao, who worked with German finance giant Commerzbank in London, had alleged that his boss made flirtatious remarks about seeing his vest through his shirt and even tried to touch his Gucci belt buckle in the staff canteen.

But the claims, which formed the basis of his 2019 employment tribunal suit against the bank, were later dismissed by Judge Anthony Snelson, who ruled that Ajao’s story was ‘false and in large part made up’, calling it ‘pure invention.’

Now, Commerzbank has dragged the former banker back to court, accusing him of ‘wicked lies’ and seeking to have him jailed for contempt. If found guilty, Ajao could spend up to two years in prison.

According to the bank’s lawyers, Ajao’s fabricated allegations caused severe psychological distress to the female manager, identified only as Q, who has since developed a serious psychiatric illness.

‘What Mr Ajao has done is to manufacture a wholly bogus claim of sexual assault and harassment,’ the bank’s lawyer, Louis Browne KC, told the High Court. ‘He did that to obtain compensation, and those false allegations have had a very detrimental effect on Q’s health.’

But Ajao insists he did not lie. His defence lawyer, Sasha Wass KC, argued that he genuinely believed he was a victim of harassment, saying he merely ‘perceived’ the comments about his vest to be inappropriate.

‘She says it happened once and didn’t mean it sexually,’ Wass said. ‘He says it happened more than once and took it as a sexual comment. There’s room here for a grey area.’

The case continues, but for Ajao, what started as a workplace complaint over a string vest may now end with the loss of his freedom.

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has responded to a law firm that issued a pre-action notice against the university concerning alleged irregularities in its Post-UTME process and admission, PM News has gathered.

In a reply dated October 4, 2025, OAU’s Legal Unit pointed out that the letter from the lawyer, Kene Nnadi of F.K. Nnadi and Co., Enugu State, carried a 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seal.

This, the university noted, shows that the lawyer had not renewed his practicing license for 2025.

The university therefore asked him to prove that he is qualified to practice law for the current year, as required by professional regulations.

PM News reports that In a letter signed by the Director of Legal Services, Yinka Ayantola, OAU stated:

‘It is our observation that the seal you affixed to your letter is your 2024 seal.

As you know, you must pay your practicing fee for 2025 before you can act as a lawyer.

We therefore request that you confirm your right to practice for this year as required by the relevant regulations.’

Earlier, the law firm had sued OAU and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) over alleged issues in their Post-UTME exercise.

English author and novelist, Dame Jilly Cooper, has passed on at the age of 88. The famous author, known for her best selling books like The Rutshire Chronicles, was mourned by the British royal family.

Queen Camilla led the tributes for Cooper, regarding her as a compassionate friend.

‘May her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs. Very few writers get to be a legend in their own lifetime but Jilly was one, creating a whole new genre of literature and making it her own through a career that spanned over five decades. I join my husband The King in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family.’ she said.’ she said.

Cooper’s children, Felix and Emily also expressed their grief, stating that their late mother’s love knew no bonds.

‘Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us,’ they said.

The author, was reported to have passed way on Sunday morning, after a fall.

ýThe Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 6, 2025, arraigned one Oguibe Promise Nkwachukwu and his company, Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Specifically, he was arraigned for allegedly stealing the sum of N200,000, 000 while serving as an accountant of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited

One of the counts read: ‘That you, Oguibe Promise Nkwachukwu, being the alter ego of Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited and Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, being a company incorporated in Nigeria sometime in March, 2020 in Nigeria, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $ 36,000 (Thirty Six Thousand United States America Dollars), property of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited entrusted to you, being the custodian as an accountant to the Travelstar Web Logistics Limited, thereby committed an offence stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (b) and (2) (f) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.’

Another count read: ‘That you, Oguibe Promise Nkwachukwu, being the alter ego of Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited and Wifamapp Royalty Global Limited, being a company incorporated in Nigeria sometime between 29th January, 2018 and July, 2018 in Nigeria, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $ 156,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand United States America Dollars), property of Travelstar Web Logistics Limited entrusted to you, being the custodian as an accountant to the Travelstar Web Logistics limited, thereby committed an offence Stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (b) and (2) (f) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.’

He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges when they were read to him.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, A.A. Usman, asked the court for a trial date for the prosecution to open its case and also prayed the court to remand the suspect at a Correctional Centre.

The defence counsel, Kelvin C. Uzozie, informed the court of a pending bail application on behalf of his client and also pleaded that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC custody .

After listening to both parties, Justice Oshodi adjourned till October 17, 2025 for the hearing of the bail application and also ordered the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Mr Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following allegations reportedly levelled against him.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, tendered his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation.

In his letter, the former minister claimed he had become the target of ‘persistent blackmail and political attacks’ orchestrated by opponents seeking to tarnish his reputation.

‘I thank Your Excellency for the privilege to serve and contribute to the administration’s vision of a more innovative and technologically advanced Nigeria,’ Nnaji reportedly stated in his letter.

President Tinubu, while acknowledging the resignation, commended Nnaji for his service to the country and wished him success in his future pursuits.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated 7 October 2025.

The vibrant city of Lagos came alive once again as Evergreen Musical Company Limited hosted the 2025 edition of Ariya Eko an annual celebration honouring the legends of Nigerian music and arts.

This year’s edition was specially designed to coincide with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, serving as both a tribute to the nation’s journey and to the men and women whose creative brilliance helped define its cultural identity.

Held under the radiant Lagos skyline, the event recognised 65 distinguished personalities who have made lasting contributions to music and the arts.

Among the honourees were Stella Monye, Dele Abiodun, Jossy Friday, Queen Salawa Abeni (Waka Queen), Tee Mac, a former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye, Evangelist J.A., and Baba Ajibiewe, among many others who helped shape the sound and soul of Nigeria.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour. In his brief but inspiring address, the governor commended the initiative and personally presented awards to three recipients, applauding Evergreen Music for its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s musical heritage.

According to her, this year’s Independence Edition underscores the enduring value of indigenous creativity to Nigeria’s national story, amplifying voices that represent strength, pride, and resilience.

‘At its heart, Ariya Eko is a bridge – between the young and the old, between the local and the global, between memory and innovation.

It is a celebration of Lagos, of Nigeria, and of the unyielding power of music to inspire, connect, and transform,’ she added.

Esho also announced that Ariya Eko would continue as an annual tradition, with future honourees to be carefully selected from the country’s rich pool of artistic talent.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism for their unwavering support before and during the event.

Concluding her remarks, she appealed to fans and supporters to keep showing love and encouragement, noting that their support serves as a strong motivation to sustain the project.

With soulful performances, emotional tributes, and a spirit of unity, Ariya Eko 2025 once again reaffirmed that Nigeria’s music is not just entertainment it is history, identity, and a timeless rhythm that tells the story of a resilient people.

A Kaduna housewife identified as Zainab Alhassan has divorced her husband, Tijjani Muhammad over his refusal to repair her damaged cell phone worth N70,000.

Zainab told a Sharia court on Tuesday that she was not longer interested in her marriage to Tijjani Muhammad.

She said she was ready to divorce him through Khul’i, (a type of divorce where a woman returns the dowry she received to her husband.)

Alhassan told the court that she was ready to return the N30,000 dowry to regain her freedom.

She told the court that she was watching a movie on her phone when her husband started fighting her, collected her phone and allegedly smashed it.

She, however, noted that she does not have a witness to prove her claims.

On his part, the defendant said he does not have a problem with her divorce plea but disagreed with the claim that he damaged her phone.

The Judge, Malam Mu’awiyya Shehu dissolved the marriage on the basis of Khul’i and dismissed the complainant’s plea for the repair of the phone .(NAN)

American singer and song-writer, Taylor Swift, has broken her own album sales record with her newly released album.

The album, The Life of a Showgirl, which was released on Friday, has sold over 300,000 copies in just a span of five days.

This feat broke the record of UK first week sales which stood at 270,000 copies from her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department.

In the United States, Taylor Swift sold up to 2.7 million copies on Friday alone.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the end of his decade-long leadership of the electoral body.

Yakubu, first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission, served two consecutive five-year terms after his reappointment in 2020.

His tenure officially expired this month.

In a statement issued on Monday, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Yakubu’s ‘unwavering dedication and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy,’ acknowledging his role in organising credible elections and implementing key electoral reforms.

As a mark of national recognition, the President conferred on Yakubu the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his meritorious service to the country.

President Tinubu also directed that the most senior national commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, should assume office as Acting Chairman of INEC pending the appointment of a substantive successor.

In his valedictory letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to the President for the trust and opportunity to serve, noting that his tenure was marked by significant progress in Nigeria’s electoral process.