It’s another edition of NRTC WEEKLY Roundup, and in this week’s edition, we are focusing on five trending stories across the country.
As usual, the stories will cut across the top five beats in our media organisation, NRTC [your one-stop hub for rich and reliable content covering entertainment, sports, politics, metro, and leading stories].
As we all know, a day can’t pass without trending stories, and we have tracked many of them for you this week. Why not scroll down and treat yourself?
Politics: Reps pass bill for establishment of state police
NRTC WEEKLY learnt that the House of Representatives has passed a constitutional amendment bill aimed at creating state police formations across Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to reform its security architecture.
The legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was passed on Thursday during deliberations by the Committee of the Whole.
Lawmakers gave the proposal overwhelming support after the report of the House Committee on Constitution Review was presented by the Deputy Speaker and committee chairman, Benjamin Kalu.
A manual vote conducted on the floor of the House showed strong backing for the bill, with 289 members voting in favour. One lawmaker abstained, while none opposed the measure.
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Business/Economy: FCCPC disowns reports of Tinubu’s approval for new airtime credit firms
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has dismissed reports claiming that President Bola Tinubu approved the entry of nine new operators into Nigeria’s airtime credit market, stating that it neither participated in nor had knowledge of the alleged arrangement.
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In a statement released on Sunday, the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, described as false reports suggesting that the agency submitted the names of local fintech companies to the Presidency as part of plans to reform the airtime credit sector.
“The commission wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of, and was not involved in, the claims attributed to it in the report absolutely,” Ijagwu said.
Several newspapers had reported that the President approved FCCPC recommendations aimed at restructuring the airtime credit market and cleared nine Nigerian fintech firms to operate within the sector.
Leading Stories: Xenophobia: 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrive in Lagos
NRTC WEEKLY reported that the first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa in the wake of recent xenophobic attacks has arrived in Lagos.
A total of 268 returnees touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday aboard an Air Peace aircraft chartered by the Federal Government as part of efforts to bring affected citizens back home.
The evacuation flight was initially expected to leave South Africa on Monday but was postponed until Wednesday due to documentation and administrative challenges before eventually departing.
The repatriation exercise comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of Nigerians residing in South Africa, following reports of xenophobic violence that have led many foreign nationals to seek assistance in returning to their countries.
The Federal Government previously disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians had expressed interest in leaving South Africa, with plans underway for additional evacuation flights in the coming days.
Entertainment: Davido uses FIFA World Cup Concert to amplify call for release of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers
NRTC WEEKLY learnt that Nigerian music star Davido used his appearance at the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles on Wednesday night to draw global attention to the school children and teachers recently abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The singer, whose real name is David Adeleke, took to the stage wearing a specially designed jacket bearing the names of the 39 kidnapped pupils and their seven teachers. The message “Bring Them Home” was boldly inscribed on the back of the outfit.
During his performance of his hit song, Fall, Davido repeatedly displayed the jacket, using the international platform to highlight the plight of the victims who remain in captivity.
The gesture is the latest in a series of calls by the award-winning artiste for urgent action over the abduction. In an earlier social media post, he urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims without further delay.
Sports: Barred World Cup referee Omar Artan to officiate UEFA Super Cup final
NRTC WEEKLY learnt that Somali referee Omar Artan, who was unable to officiate at the FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, has been selected to oversee this summer’s UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
The fixture, which will pit Champions League winners PSG against Europa League champions Aston Villa, is scheduled for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
UEFA announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday, noting that the decision followed consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
That’s all for this week on NRTC WEEKLY. Stay tuned and join us again for another exciting edition next week!
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