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 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?
NRTC WEEKLY Highlights
Topics for This Edition: Club World Cup, Wike and Tinubu enemies, Democracy Day and Burna Boy and Davido’s new cars.
Sports: Club World Cup
On 15 June, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off, prompting a mixed bag of reactions from football lovers. Many fans expressed excitement at seeing their favourite clubs compete on a global stage.
Supporters celebrated the prospect of a truly international tournament. The expanded 32-team format, which featured clubs from all six football confederations, delivered unique matchups rarely seen in the sport.
It provided a platform for non-European clubs to showcase their talent against football giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
Fans also welcomed the appearance of football legends such as Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), alongside global stars like Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich). Their participation added significant appeal and heightened anticipation for the tournament.Football lovers expressed cautious optimism.
While they looked forward to elite-level football on a global scale, concerns about player welfare, fixture congestion, and FIFA’s perceived commercial motivations dampened the enthusiasm of many.
Politics: Wike and Tinubu enemies
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stirred social media buzz after he declared that President Bola Tinubu’s enemies would only be able to watch the 17-day-long commissioning of landmark projects on television.
The projects had been completed within two years of Tinubu’s administration.
His comments intensified the ongoing debate about the nature of his relationship with Tinubu, triggering varied reactions from across Nigeria’s political spectrum.
Wike further stated that he would ensure those critics ‘develop blood pressure’ and dismissed talk of any opposition coalition unseating Tinubu in 2027, boasting that his achievements had already dismantled such efforts.
Since his appointment as Minister, Wike’s alignment with Tinubu raised eyebrows, particularly within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where many accused him of political opportunism and anti-party conduct.
Despite remaining a PDP member, he openly supported and served in the APC-led administration.This development deepened internal tensions within the PDP.
While some members called for Wike’s suspension or expulsion, others acknowledged his undeniable political influence, particularly in Rivers State.
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Meanwhile, President Tinubu praised Wike’s performance as FCT Minister and jokingly urged him to officially join the APC, suggesting that Wike’s presence would be a valuable asset to the party.
Leading Stories: Democracy Day
Nigeria marked its 2025 Democracy Day on 12 June, triggering mixed reactions nationwide. While the government celebrated democratic progress and reiterated its commitment to democratic principles, civil society organisations and opposition figures raised concerns about governance and worsening economic conditions.
President Bola Tinubu, in a speech to the joint session of the National Assembly, honoured pro-democracy heroes and acknowledged the sacrifices made for Nigeria’s democracy.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, national unity, and ongoing economic reforms, citing improvements in GDP and foreign reserves.
The National Assembly pledged continued support for deepening democratic values.However, many Nigerians and groups like ActionAid Nigeria viewed the celebrations through a critical lens.
They described Nigeria’s democracy as “fragile” and highlighted how soaring inflation, insecurity, and inequality continued to marginalise ordinary citizens.
Critics also raised concerns about shrinking civic space, inconsistent anti-corruption efforts, and the urgent need for electoral reforms to restore public trust. Opposition figures further slammed Tinubu’s remarks about their “disarray”, urging him to focus on meaningful governance.
Entertainment: Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido’s new cars
Nigerians reacted with mixed feelings to the latest luxury car purchases by music superstars Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido, especially amidst the country’s current economic challenges.
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that activist VeryDarkMan publicly criticised the trio for buying extravagant cars while many Nigerians struggled with economic hardship. Burna Boy acquired a brand-new McLaren Sienna worth N3.5 billion, while Davido reportedly purchased a 2026 Mercedes Maybach SL 680 for N1.2 billion.
Wizkid’s car price remained undisclosed.Some fans applauded the stars, interpreting the purchases as well-earned rewards for their global success and musical achievements.
However, a significant portion of the public, including vocal commentators like VeryDarkMan, condemned the display of wealth. They argued that flaunting such luxury reflected a lack of empathy for struggling citizens and questioned the artists’ contributions to societal development beyond their personal success.
The controversy reignited debate on the social responsibilities of wealthy celebrities and their role in national progress.
That’s all for this week on NRTC WEEKLY. Stay tuned and join us again for another exciting edition next week!
