Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has spoken about his decades-long friendship with fellow actress Saje, which dates back to their early days in the movie industry.

According to Quadri, Saje was already close to his wife before the couple married, and she has kept that bond over the years without engaging in gossip. He said she knew about some of his relationships with other women but never passed the information on to his wife, describing her as someone who can be trusted.

The Agba Aki  of Oro Kingdom also recalled a time he considered helping Saje’s husband, Rafiu Balogun, during a difficult period in their marriage. He told Saje that Rafiu wanted to accompany him to a movie location, expecting her to object because of their misunderstanding. Instead, she welcomed the idea. Quadri said he felt obliged to inform her because of her friendship with his wife.
The actor also spoke on pay in the movie industry, insisting he would not expect to earn more than younger colleagues simply because of his experience.

Citing Funke Akindele and Lateef Adedimeji as examples, he said, “If I’m being called to a job, and Funke Akindele and Lateef Adedimeji are going to be paid the same amount, I’m an enemy of God if I’m expecting that they should pay me more than him.”

The veteran actor added that actors negotiate their fees differently. Some accept whatever they are offered, while others insist on the amount they want. He concluded that such differences are simply part of life.

The Nigerian naira has continued its recent positive run against the British pound, with the currency pair trading around N1,767 to £1 in the official foreign exchange market.

The movement comes amid recent improvements in Nigeria’s foreign exchange liquidity and a relatively stable naira following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy adjustment.

Data from the CBN-linked exchange-rate series showed the pound at about N1,767.14 per £1 on October 6, compared with N1,759.83 recorded the previous day.

Despite the short-term fluctuations, the naira has strengthened significantly against sterling compared with earlier in the year, when the pound traded above the N1,900 level.

Market conditions have been supported by stronger foreign-exchange buffers and improved inflows, particularly from the oil and gas sector. These factors have helped improve liquidity and reduce pressure on the naira.

The CBN also recently reduced its Monetary Policy Rate to 23 per cent, a move that lowered the yield advantage previously enjoyed by naira-denominated assets.

Meanwhile, broader international currency movements have continued to influence the pound. Recent market data showed GBP/NGN trading around the N1,757–N1,758 range on October 8.

Analysts will continue to monitor foreign-exchange liquidity, crude oil inflows, monetary policy and global movements in the pound as key factors that could determine the naira’s direction in the coming sessions.

Twenty prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and one civilian abducted in Imo State have regained their freedom following a coordinated operation involving the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police and other security agencies.

The victims were rescued from the Amakohia-Ubi forest in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state during an intelligence-led operation, according to security sources.

The rescued victims have since been taken to a DSS medical facility in Owerri, where they are receiving medical attention and undergoing necessary checks.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, visited the rescued victims at the DSS facility. He was accompanied by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the state Director of the DSS and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.

The victims were abducted on October 1 while travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The two buses conveying the prospective corps members were intercepted by gunmen around Umunoha along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Following the incident, security agencies launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation. Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade worked alongside the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, police, DSS and other security formations in efforts to locate the victims and apprehend the abductors.

Earlier reports indicated that security operatives had located the suspected kidnappers’ hideout through intelligence and drone surveillance but faced difficulties accessing the area because of reported improvised explosive devices.

The operation was subsequently intensified as security agencies deployed additional personnel and operational equipment to reach the victims.

The abduction had generated concern among relatives after reports that the kidnappers demanded ransom for the victims. However, authorities have not publicly provided details on whether any ransom was paid or whether arrests were made during the rescue operation.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma commended the security agencies for their coordinated efforts, as well as the Oyo and Imo State governments for their collaboration during the rescue process.

The rescue brings an end to the immediate ordeal of the 20 prospective corps members and the civilian, who are now receiving medical attention while authorities continue efforts to establish further details surrounding the incident.