Veteran Yoruba nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has explained why he and other practitioners in the film industry support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the President’s longstanding financial assistance to entertainers and his contributions to infrastructure development.

Quadri said the support was not merely about personal benefits but also reflected Tinubu’s history of assisting members of the entertainment industry dating back to his tenure as governor of Lagos State.

Speaking in an interview on the African A-List programme, uploaded on Saturday and seen by our correspondent on Monday, the actor recalled how Tinubu paid the hospital bills of late Nollywood actor Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, while he was battling an illness.

“People do not understand it. It is not about what we want to eat. He has been taking care of those of us in the industry since he was the governor of Lagos,” Quadri said.

He also recounted how Tinubu provided financial assistance following the death of actress Moji Olaiya in Canada in 2017, when fellow actors were seeking funds to bring her remains back to Nigeria.

Quadri said he joined actors, including Fathia Balogun and Yomi Fabiyi, to visit Tinubu’s residence in Bourdillon, Lagos, to request financial assistance for the arrangements.

According to him, Tinubu asked about the cost and subsequently provided $25,000.

“When Moji Olaiya died, I, Fathia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi and others were trying to bring her back from abroad. We went to Bourdillon to seek financial support.

“He asked us for the cost and paid it. It was a total of $25,000,” the actor said.

Quadri added that Tinubu had continued to support the industry by providing resources whenever practitioners approached him for assistance.

Beyond his personal experiences, the actor cited infrastructure projects in the South-West as another reason for his support, mentioning the Papalanto-Sagamu road and the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode route.

He acknowledged that the projects did not mean all the region’s infrastructure needs had been met but said he appreciated the efforts.

“I know it is not enough, but I praise him,” Quadri said.

The actor also pointed to pension payments to retirees and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as areas he considered positive under the Tinubu administration.

Quadri’s comments come amid political discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of the President making the case for his re-election.

Yoruba movie stars have previously declared support for Tinubu, citing his relationship with the industry and his influence on practitioners.

In 2022, Quadri joined prominent actors, including Jide Kosoko, Fausat Balogun, Taiwo Hassan and Femi Adebayo, in expressing support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 election.

The organisers of The Headies have announced postponement and a new date for the 18th edition of the prestigious music awards.

Previously scheduled for this year, the ceremony will now take place in Toronto on April 10 and 11, 2027.

Announcing the change on its official Instagram page, The Headies said the postponement is to allow an expanded programme in Nigeria and Canada ahead of the finale.

“The road to the 18th Headies continues. We’re expanding the programme in Nigeria and Canada ahead of our Toronto finale, now scheduled for April 10 and 11, 2027,” the statement read.

The organisers added that Road to The Headies activities will continue during the original event period, with programme details to be shared through its official channels.

They also apologised to guests who had already made travel plans for the inconvenience.

“To guests who have already made travel plans and other arrangements, we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and continued support. Further programme updates and guest information will be shared here,” it added.

The 18th Headies is expected to celebrate outstanding achievements in African music.

Veteran nollywood actor, Yinka Quadri, has revealed how his wife, Sadiat, was always friendly to the female colleagues he dated despite being informed by some of them about his relationships with other actresses.

The thespian made this revelation in a snippet of an interview with African A List released on Friday.

Quadri said his wife was aware of his relationships but did not engage in confrontations with the women involved.

He explained that some actresses would approach his wife to discuss his relationships with other women, despite some of them also being romantically involved with him.

“At some point, some female colleagues in the industry will approach my wife to gossip that I’m dating other actresses, even though I’m also dating some of the very actresses who gossip about me. My wife knows about it and doesn’t fight with them,” he said.

The actor also disclosed that his wife extended hospitality to some of the actresses who visited their home after late-night movie productions, despite knowing about their relationships with him.

“Sometimes, when we finish production late and some of them come to sleep at my house, my wife feeds and takes care of them despite knowing that I’m dating them,” Quadri said.

Quadri and Sadiat met in 1985, and got married in 1989. Their marriage is blessed with children and grandchildren.