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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?
NRTC WEEKLY Highlights
Topics for this Edition: 2Baba and Annie, Sowore and police, Manchester City and Real Madrid and Tinubu’s economy.
Entertainment: 2Baba and Annie’s separation
The separation of popular singer Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia and his wife, Annie, shocked fans and sparked a social media frenzy. NRTC WEEKLY gathered that 2Baba announced on Instagram that he and Annie, the mother of his two children, had decided to pursue a divorce.
His announcement left many in disbelief and sadness, as they had viewed the couple’s relationship as a symbol of love and resilience in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
This perception stemmed from their long history, especially when Annie starred as the lead video vixen in 2Baba’s iconic 2004 song, African Queen. While the reasons for their separation remained unclear, netizens voiced their support for both, emphasising the importance of personal well-being and acknowledging that relationships evolve.
The news ignited discussions on the complexities of marriage, the pressures of fame, and the significance of communication and respect in relationships.
Some argued that their highly publicized romance served as a cautionary tale about the challenges of maintaining privacy and intimacy under public scrutiny. While some expressed disappointment and questioned the sanctity of marriage, others offered words of encouragement, recognizing the difficulties of navigating personal struggles in the spotlight.
The separation served as a stark reminder of how even seemingly perfect relationships could be fragile, prompting many Nigerians to reflect on their own relationships.
Politics: Sowore and Police clash
Former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore clashed with the Nigeria Police over a statement he made about the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun. Sowore uploaded a video on social media, alleging that officers at a Lagos checkpoint engaged in extortion.
He also called for Egbetokun’s retirement, arguing that the IGP had exceeded the retirement age. However, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, maintained that Egbetokun’s tenure remained legal.
Following this, the police invited and detained Sowore after he honoured their invitation on Monday. He dismissed the charges against him as ridiculous.
Authorities charged him with 17 counts of cybercrime for referring to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” on social media.
An Abuja court granted Sowore bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with one surety of equal value who must own landed property.
The surety also had to submit original property documents and a passport photograph to the court registrar. Justice Musa Liman, who ruled on the bail application, ordered Sowore to surrender his international passport to the court. He had 24 hours to meet the bail conditions or face remand in police custody.
Despite securing bail, Sowore continued using social media to advocate for the removal of the IGP with the hashtag #IGPKayodeEgbetokunMustGo.
Sports: Manchester City and Real Madrid set for another epic showdown
Football fans eagerly anticipated another thrilling clash as the Champions League draw paired Manchester City against Real Madrid for a play-off. Both teams failed to qualify after eight matches, setting up a high-stakes encounter.
This fixture evolved into a modern-day classic, delivering some of the most dramatic encounters in recent memory. The intensity and quality of these matches remained undeniable, with fans on both sides expecting another high-octane spectacle filled with goals, tactical battles, and individual brilliance.
As two of the best clubs in the world, this matchup tested their mettle and provided a stage to showcase their elite talent. City fans saw this as a chance to avenge past disappointments and assert dominance over their Spanish rivals.
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Memories of Real Madrid’s dramatic comeback last season fueled City’s hunger for redemption. Meanwhile, Madrid’s history of late-game heroics and ability to defy expectations made them a formidable challenge. Their dominance in this fixture cast a long shadow over City’s ambitions.
Business: Tinubu’s economic policies deepen hardship
As President Bola Tinubu pushed forward with his economic reforms, Nigerians continued to struggle under worsening economic hardship, hoping for a turnaround. Despite calls for a policy review, Tinubu remained steadfast, insisting on his economic agenda.
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly criticized these policies, arguing that they had exacerbated poverty across the nation. After a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, attended by 12 PDP governors, they issued a communiqué urging the Federal Government to urgently reform these macroeconomic policies to mitigate their adverse effects.
Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, signed the communiqué.
The governors used the meeting to review developmental initiatives across PDP-governed states and assess national and party affairs as 2024 came to a close.
Leading Stories: Corpers decry delayed January allawee
The delayed payment of the January allowance (allawee) to Nigerian youth corps members triggered frustration, anger, and even humour among them. Many corps members voiced their frustration, highlighting the financial strain caused by the delay.
For many, the allowance served as a crucial source of income, especially for those from low-income backgrounds. The delay disrupted their ability to cover essential expenses such as rent, food, and transportation, leading to stress, anxiety, and resentment toward the authorities responsible.
Repeated delays in allawee payments deepened corps members’ disillusionment, making them feel undervalued and unappreciated for their service to the nation.
This negatively impacted their morale and enthusiasm for the program. Social media platforms erupted with widespread discussions as corps members shared their frustrations, experiences, and demands for prompt payments.
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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