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: Tinubu calls for national unity as Lent, Ramadan commence simultaneously
NRTC WEEKLY learnt that President Bola Tinubu called on Nigerians to embrace peace, good neighbourliness, and national stability as the Christian and Muslim faithful begin their respective fasting periods of Lent and Ramadan on the same day.
In a statement released from the State House on Wednesday, the President noted the rare timing of both spiritual seasons, describing it as a divine reminder of the commonalities shared by Nigerians regardless of their religious leanings.
Tinubu highlighted the significance of both observances, noting that Lent offers Christians a 40-day journey of fasting and penitence modelled after the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
He described Ramadan as a “hallowed season” for Muslims, centred on the pillars of sacrifice, devotion, and communal giving.
He emphasised that, beyond the physical act of fasting, both seasons demand deep spiritual reflection and a commitment to serving humanity.
Business/Economy: Nigeria’s food inflation drops to single digit of 8.89%
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that Nigeria’s food inflation rate eased to 8.89 per cent year-on-year in January 2026, the first single-digit reading in 128 months, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report from the National Bureau of Statistics.
The figure represents a sharp decline of 20.73 percentage points from the 29.63 per cent recorded in January 2025.
On a month-on-month basis, food prices contracted by 6.02 per cent in January, compared with a 0.36 per cent decline in December 2025.
The NBS attributed the slowdown to decreases in the average prices of staple items including water yam, eggs, palm oil, beans, beef, and cassava tuber.
The 8.89 per cent reading is the first time food inflation has fallen below 10 per cent since May 2015, when it stood at 9.78 per cent.
The January figure is the lowest since August 2011, when food inflation was 8.66 per cent, marking a 174-month gap.
Leading Stories: US freezes assets of eight Nigerians over alleged Boko Haram, ISIL, cybercrime links
NRTC WEEKLY reported that the United States government imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians over alleged connections to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and cyber-related offences, resulting in the freezing of their assets within US jurisdiction.
The action was detailed in a 3,000-page report dated February 10 and issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. The document, reviewed on Monday, listed individuals and entities whose properties have been blocked as part of counter-terrorism and security measures.
The sanctions follow recent recommendations by members of the US Congress advocating visa restrictions and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of religious freedom violations and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Among those earlier recommended for sanctions by US lawmakers were former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal.
Sports: Former Super Falcons goalkeeper welcomes quadruplets, celebrates ‘overflowing joy’ after years of waiting
NRTC WEEKLY learnt that legendary Super Falcons goalkeeper, Precious Dede has joyfully welcomed the birth of her four babies. After years of anticipation, Dede revealed the exciting announcement on her Instagram account Sunday morning.
“After many years of waiting, God showed up in the most beautiful way, FOUR precious blessings at once. Double the boys, double the girls, quadruple the joy,” she wrote.
“Our hearts are full beyond words. Years of prayers, tears, and hope… now turned into four miracles. God is faithful. From waiting to overflowing… One pregnancy, Four heartbeats… Endless joy.”
Entertainment: Stop raping women – Simi demands death penalty for rapists, sparks heated debate
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that Afrobeats star Simisola Kosoko, widely known as Simi, stirred intense reactions online after calling for the execution of individuals convicted of rape.
Her comments come amid growing public concern over increasing reports of sexual assault across Nigeria in recent weeks.
Taking to X on Tuesday night, the singer expressed deep frustration over the situation and urged both the public and authorities to take decisive action against perpetrators of sexual violence.
“I’m sickkk of this. Stop raping women. They need to castrate rapists and burn them,” she wrote in a fierce X post.
That’s all for this week on NRTC WEEKLY. Stay tuned and join us again for another exciting edition next week!
