Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has recounted how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to the aid of colleagues and the family of late actress Moji Olaiya when they needed financial assistance to bring her remains back to Nigeria from Canada.

According to the statement attributed to Quadri, the burial arrangements required $15,000 to transport the actress’s body home, but Tinubu reportedly provided $25,000 to support the effort.

Moji Olaiya, a popular Yoruba and English-language film actress, died in Canada in May 2017 at the age of 42, following a cardiac arrest. Her death shocked colleagues, fans and members of the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Following her death, the family and members of the entertainment industry faced the challenge of arranging the transportation of her remains to Nigeria for burial.

Reports published at the time indicated that Tinubu intervened after members of the burial committee approached him for assistance. The support covered the airfreight costs needed to bring the actress’s remains home, alongside arrangements involving her infant daughter.

In a statement issued on May 22, 2017, Yomi Fabiyi, publicity secretary of the burial committee, confirmed that Tinubu had provided financial assistance for the repatriation.

The committee expressed appreciation for his intervention, which helped move the burial arrangements forward.

Moji Olaiya’s remains subsequently arrived in Nigeria in June 2017, and she was buried in Lagos on June 7, according to contemporary news reports.

Quadri’s reported account has brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding the actress’s final journey home and the financial support provided during that difficult period.

The story also recalls the solidarity shown by members of the entertainment industry following the loss of one of their colleagues.

Utelnova Note: The specific claim that Tinubu gave $25,000, rather than the $15,000 reportedly needed, should be attributed to Yinka Quadri until the original interview or recording is independently verified.