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Tag: Tope Adebayo

  • Fathia Balogun my benefactor, says Tope Adebayo

    Fathia Balogun my benefactor, says Tope Adebayo

    Actor and director Tope Adebayo has clarified the relationship with seasoned actress Fathia Balogun, denying rumors of a romantic affair.

    In an interview on Baba Ibe’s TV, Adebayo stated that their bond is rooted in mutual respect and professional support, rather than romance.

    He expressed disappointment over the false claims, which likely stemmed from their visible closeness.

    Adebayo credited Balogun with helping launch his directing career, revealing that she gave him the opportunity to direct five of her movie projects when his own father doubted his abilities.

    He described Balogun as a benefactor who believed in him and his work.

    Adebayo further appealed to the public to stop assuming that close relationships between men and women are necessarily romantic, emphasising that some relationships are simply built on respect, trust, and mutual support.

    He said: “A rumour that broke my heart was when people accused someone like me of having an affair with Aunty Faithia. Does it make any sense?

    “The fact remains that, you that accused me of this and it is your mouth. The intimacy between Aunty Fathia and I, there is no one that can know how strong our bond is.

    “But, I will leave you with one secret today, Fathia and I will continue to be close because she is my benefactor. 

    “I told my father I wanted to become a director, but he burst into laughter. He told me it was not an easy task, and that almost got me discouraged.

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    “Aunty Faithia was there, so she countered my dad, and said I will be the one to direct her five upcoming movie projects.

    “I am telling you loud and clear that it was from this directorial debut with her projects that the world believed in my prowess, and it launched me as a director.

    “It just saddens my heart that people believe because we are close that definitely we must be dating.

    “Please I want to appeal with our audience to eliminate the thought that if opposite genders are close, that they are dating”.

  • Tope Adebayo, wife celebrate 10th wedding anniversary

    Tope Adebayo, wife celebrate 10th wedding anniversary

    Actor and director Tope Adebayo Salami and his wife, Bouqi, are joyfully celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.

    To commemorate this special milestone, Tope Adebayo shared adorable photos of himself, his wife, and their daughter on Instagram.

    In a heartfelt caption, he expressed deep gratitude for the ever-growing love they share. 

    He celebrated their unique bond, shared laughter, and countless adventures, and wished his wife a happy anniversary.

    Tope Adebayo’s romantic message read: “A Love That Grows Stronger With Time. Happy 10 Years Anniversary to us, my love!

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    “Today, we celebrate the special bond we share, the laughter, the adventures, and the memories we’ve created together. Our love has grown stronger with each passing day, and I’m grateful for every moment we’ve spent together. 

    “Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and adventure together! I love you more with each passing day.”

  • Lawyer seeks end to naira abuse

    Lawyer seeks end to naira abuse

    A lawyer, Tope Adebayo has lamented the ignorance of Nigerians about the legal framework guiding the use of Naira currency.

    Adebayo a senior counsel in Tope Adebayo LP (TALP) regretted that many Nigerians were unaware of the law until recently after the arrest and trial of Idris Okuneye, a.k.a. ‘Bobrisky’, a Nollywood actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin and Cubans Priest, Pascal Okechukwu for their involvement in Naira note abuse.

    He said their trial highlighted the seriousness of the issue.

    He, however, regretted that despite its significance, the abuse of Naira notes has become a pervasive issue in the country, undermining its integrity and the respect it commands.

     He said that this is exemplified in recent high-profile cases, the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the socialites.

     Adebayo stated this in a published paper titled “Examining the Abuse of Naira Notes in Nigeria: A Legal and Comparative Perspective”

    The paper explores the legal framework governing various forms of Naira abuse, in Nigeria in contrast to the regulatory landscape in the U.S.A. to buttress his position on the issue.

    Adebayo argued: “Section 21 (1) – (3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007, addresses Naira abuse.

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    “The abuse of Naira notes is governed primarily by the (CBN) Act 2007 and this statute confers upon the CBN the authority to regulate the issuance, distribution, and handling of currency within the country.

    “Section 21 of the CBN Act specifically prohibits the abuse of Naira notes, prescribing penalties for offenders, including fines and imprisonment.”

    On the other hand, he said that the legal frameworks in the United States are more comprehensive. For example, 18 U.S.C. section 333 prohibits the mutilation, diminution, and defacement of the Dollar, with violators subject to fines and imprisonment.

    He emphasised the need for Nigerians to desist from Naira abuse and recognise the currency as a symbol of national pride and lifeblood of the nation’s economy.

    “Currency serves as the lifeblood of any nation’s economy, embodying its value and facilitating economic transactions. In Nigeria, the Naira stands as a symbol of national pride and economic stability.”, he said.

    “The arrest and pending trial of another socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as ‘Cubana Chief Priest’, further underscores the prevalence of this illicit activity,” he stated.

    He recalled: “Omoseyin and Bobrisky were sentenced to six months prison terms after pleading guilty, Cubana Chief Priest is still awaiting trial after pleading not guilty and granted bail by the Federal High Court.

    “Unlike the cases of Bobrisky and Omoseyin, the not-guilty plea triggers a legal process where evidence and arguments are carefully scrutinised, ultimately leading to a court judgment.

    “The consequences of Naira note abuse are multifaceted, one of which is that it compromises the durability of the currency, leading to premature deterioration.

    “The desecration of a national currency (Naira) undermines its symbolic value and reflects poorly on the country’s image domestically and internationally.

    “Despite the existence of  legislation and enforcing laws, currency abuse remains a significant challenge in Nigeria.

    “Limited resources, tax enforcement mechanisms, and cultural attitudes towards money contribute to the prevalence of Naira abuse. Unlike in the USA where stringent enforcement and public awareness campaigns are in place,” he submitted.

  • Why actors should worship directors, by Tope Adebayo

    Why actors should worship directors, by Tope Adebayo

    Tope Adebayo, one of the directors of Jagun Jagun, a widely acclaimed successful epic, has stressed the essence of directors in the film industry.

    Adebayo said the impact of directors on film projects can not be overlooked given the important role they play in bringing a film to life. 

    Adebayo, who is also an actor, said  the whole movie characters must go in the direction directors want them to go in order to achieve the overall aim and purpose. 

    He, however, pointed out that film lovers and audiences always gave all accolades to the actors, neglecting directors who do most of the job for the success of the film. 

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    “Actors should worship directors because the director’s work supersedes the others. Actors work but when talking about who works more it is the director. We don’t know how God did it because it happens like that abroad as well but is common in Nigeria,” said Adebayo.

    Continuing, he said: “They (viewers) will totally forget about the director. The audience always forgets that there is someone putting it together. The actor and directors jobs on set are not equal. Actors will come, play their part and leave but the director has to be on standby from start to finish because if he doesn’t the film will be a mess. For instance in Jagun Jagun, every acting is in the director’s head because he directs all movements on set so what he has in his mind is much more than that of the actors.”

    Adebayo has featured in several Nollywood movies and has directed several films, including that of his brother, Femi Adebayo, and father,  Adebayo Salami.