Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
It’s another edition of NRTC WEEKLY Roundup —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 organization, 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?
Metro: Actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi
Tears flowed freely as veteran Yoruba actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi, also known as Ogunjimi, passed away at the age of 66. The industry mourned the loss of Ogunjimi, who portrayed warlords and other characters in movies.
Kunle Afod broke the news on his Instagram page with the caption, “We tried our best but God loves you more. May his soul rest in peace, baba Ogunjimi.”
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that many fans of the late actor, who was laid to rest in his Odigbo house in 2023, had appealed for help the previous year. The veteran had discussed some of the struggles he overcame in life.
While the cause of his death remains unclear, the veteran actor will be dearly missed.
Sports: EPL title race
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that the Premier League (EPL) title race is intensifying, eliciting a range of emotions from football fans, including excitement, anxiety, and even resignation.
Manchester City supporters are brimming with confidence following their commanding victory over Brighton, with many interpreting it as a precursor to their inevitable triumph. Some have gone as far as declaring the title race “over” on social media, spurred on by Kevin De Bruyne’s stellar performance.
Despite a sense of disappointment after their recent loss, Arsenal fans remain surprisingly optimistic. They take pride in their youthful team surpassing expectations and remain hopeful for a rebound, although concerns linger about the setback affecting their title aspirations.
While many pundits wrote off Liverpool’s chances following their defeat to Everton, NRTC WEEKLY discovered that the public is enamored with the unpredictable nature of the race.
Fans of teams outside the title race experience a mix of emotions. Some relish the heightened competition, while others lament their teams’ absence from contention. Manchester United supporters find joy in teasing both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The atmosphere is electric, with social media abuzz with discussions, pundits reveling in the drama, and fans eagerly anticipating the next twist in the title race. It’s an exhilarating time to be a Premier League enthusiast.
Leading stories: EFCC and Yahaya Bello
Nigerians are voicing concerns following the Kogi State High Court’s directive in Lokoja, ordering the chairperson of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it on May 13 to justify why he should not face imprisonment for allegedly defying its order.
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that Judge I.A. Jamil issued the order in response to a suit marked HCL/68M/2024, filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello’s application, seeking contempt charges against the EFCC chair, is seen as a desperate attempt to halt his arraignment and trial on N80 billion money laundering charges brought against him following his tenure as governor.
The EFCC recently filed a case against the former Kogi Governor for alleged misappropriation of $720,000, purportedly paid in advance as fees for his five children from the Kogi State Government’s funds. These children are reportedly in Grades 2 to 8 at their school.
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Despite his refusal to comply, the EFCC has vowed to resign if he manages to evade prosecution.
Politics: Ondo governorship election
The forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, scheduled for November, is progressing smoothly with the emergence of party candidates.
NRTC WEEKLY learned that nearly all political parties in the state have conducted their primaries to elect their flag bearers.
The two leading political parties in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), share a commonality.
The APC’s flag bearer is Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a former deputy governor who assumed the governorship following the death of his principal.
Similarly, the PDP candidate is a former deputy governor during the first term of the late Rotimi Akeredolu.
Many observers believe that the contest primarily revolves around former deputy governors and are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the campaign season.
Entertainment: Jnr Pope for burial
After weeks of mourning, the family of the late Nollywood actor John Odonwodo, known as Junior Pope, has announced his burial arrangements.
The actor lost his life on April 10 alongside four others in a boat accident on the River Niger during a movie shoot for ‘Other Side of Life’, produced by Adanma Luke.
NRTC WEEKLY learned that the funeral proceedings began on April 23 with a requiem mass at Saint John-Mary Vianney Parish in Asaba, Delta State.
Another requiem mass is scheduled for May 13 at Christ the King Catholic Parish in G.R.A, Enugu.
Tributes and a candlelight event will take place at the Amadeo Event Center in Enugu on May 14.
On May 16, a wake will be held at his hometown, Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, in Nsukkaa, Igboetiti LGA of Enugu State.
The interment will follow the burial mass at St. Peter’s Parish, Ukehe, on May 17. A final Thanksgiving mass is planned for Sunday, May 19, at St. Peter’s Parish Ukche Nsukkaa, Igboetiti LGA, Enugu.
Here, the cotton of this week’s episode of NRTC WEEKLY will drop. Join us for another edition next week as we explore the trending stories in Nigeria.
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