NRTC WEEKLY: Top 5 trending stories across the country this week

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?

^{Leading stories: Mohbad’s death, politics: Tinubu meets UAE, visa ban on Nigerian lifted; sport: Osimhem makes FIFA men nominees, entertainment, cabal in music industry and business: palliatives distribution are the stories to discuss on this week NRTC WEEKLY.} 

Leading stories: Mohbad, Nigeria Fast-Rising Rapper Dies at 27

Tears flow freely this week as the news of the untimely death of the fast-rising rapper, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, aka Mohbad, at the tender age of 27, spreads like wildfire.

NRTC WEEKLY gathered that the late singer was a former signee of Naira Marley’s Marlian Record label but left the label in 2022 due to an undisclosed dispute. NRTC WEEKLY learnt that the singer had been on an incredible trajectory towards stardom, capturing the hearts of many with his unique lyrical prowess and charismatic stage presence. 

His shocking loss has left a void in the industry and across the nation, with tributes and expressions of sorrow from fans, fellow artists, and celebrities alike across social media platforms.

Social media went buzzing as fans through their tweets and posts wished him an eternal life with the hashtag #RIPMohBad which showcases the profound impact he had on the Nigerian music scene— as well as serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the profound influence artists like MohBad have on Nigeria’s culture and hearts.

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NRTC WEEKLY learnt that the singer was laid to rest the second day in Ikorodu despite conflicting reports surrounding his death which is yet unknown as of press time.  Netizens after his burial recounted how his music had touched their lives, making many who didn’t know the singer in Adam during his lifetime get to know how touching his music could have been. 

In a switch reaction via social media, his wife, Omowunmi said Mohbad struggled till death having battled too much pain, threat among others, saying ‘He had always lived with fears, continuous fights everywhere he goes too, he has never been happy for a whole day.’

Omowunmi said the late singer was called a junkie, a mad person, mentally unstable so the public would have another view about him— letting out that those behind the aforementioned won the trophy after he’s dead, NRTC WEEKLY confirmed. 

This tweet led to people being skeptical that he was killed. Some said his former boss and others must have had hands in his death but a few hours after he was announced dead, the Marlian Records owner, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley shared a simple heartbreak emoji to pay a tribute to the singer. 

NRTC WEEKLY gathered why the police said they’re investigating the matter and the possibility his corpse might ensue after a threat to life and damages petition written against some set of people surfaced online.

Politics: Tinubu meets UAE, visa ban on Nigerian lifted

The news of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lifting the ban on Nigerian citizens, especially after a meeting between Nigerian politician Bola Tinubu and the UAE president, sparked a wide range of reactions among Nigerians.

NRTC WEEKLY gathered that many Nigerians welcomed the news with a sense of relief and joy, saying the ban had caused significant inconvenience to Nigerians who had travel plans, business interests, or family members in the UAE. 

Nigerians via their social media platforms described Tinubu’s role in facilitating this diplomatic breakthrough as exceptional, saying the intervention was a positive development that could potentially benefit the country’s citizens.

ALSO READ:NRTC WEEKLY: Top 5 trending stories across the country this week

NRTC WEEKLY further gathered that some Nigerians are optimistic this would lead to improved relations between the two countries and that the UAE would maintain its commitment to allowing Nigerian travelers.

They also highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts in resolving international issues, calling for more diplomatic engagement to address not only travel bans but also other bilateral concerns.

NRTC WEEKLY learnt that while many Nigerians were pleased with the ban’s removal, some expressed concerns about the transparency of such diplomatic efforts. 

Sport: Osimhem makes FIFA men’s nominees

Nigerians erupted in joy and excitement when Victor Osimhen was named among the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year nominees. NRTC WEEKLY last reported that the Napoli striker made the 2023 Ballon d’Or list last week.

The news spread like wildfire across the country, and fans couldn’t contain their enthusiasm as they flooded social media platforms with congratulatory messages. Osimhen’s nomination was seen as a testament to his incredible talent and hard work last season both in club and country. 

He had been making waves in the top Italy league, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess and skill on the field, making Nigerians take immense pride in seeing him on such a prestigious global stage.

The excitement went beyond just sports enthusiasts; it unified Nigerians across various divides, transcending ethnic, religious, and regional differences. It was a moment of national unity and pride, as the whole country rallied behind Osimhen, hoping to see him clinch the prestigious award.

Nigerians eagerly awaited the FIFA awards ceremony, where Osimhen’s name would be among the elite group of nominees, regardless of the outcome, his nomination had already made history, and Nigerians knew that their star striker had a bright future ahead, continuing to represent Nigeria on the global stage.

ALSO READ: NRTC WEEKLY: Top 5 trending stories across the country this week

Entertainment, a cabal in the music industry

The formation of a “cabal” within the Nigerian music industry has stirred a range of reactions among Nigerians, especially Netizens following the death of Mohbad, NRTC WEEKLY gathered. This concept of a “cabal” typically refers to a group of influential individuals who allegedly manipulate or control certain aspects of the music industry for their gain, often at the expense of emerging talent. 

Many Nigerians expressed concern over the existence of such a cabal, fearing that it could stifle creativity and hinder the rise of new and talented artists, criticizing what they perceived as gatekeeping and favoritism within the industry, which might limit opportunities for fresh voices.

Social media became a platform for fans to vent their frustration and anger, as many were calling for transparency and fairness in the industry.

NRTC WEEKLY gathered that Activists, music bloggers, and concerned citizens called for reforms within the music industry, to advocate for the establishment of fairer systems for music distribution, talent scouting, and recognition, to ensure that talent and hard work, rather than connections, would prevail.

Some called for government intervention to regulate the music industry and prevent monopolies or unfair practices. 

Business: palliatives distribution

Nigerians’ reactions to the distribution of palliatives that did not reach them as expected were a mix of frustration, disappointment, anger, and a call for greater transparency and accountability, NRTC WEEKLY confirmed.

The distribution of palliatives was meant to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations during times of crisis, such as economic downturns, but it was revealed that many of these relief materials did not reach those in need. 

NRTC WEEKLY learnt that many Nigerians in the States that are yet to commence the distribution were understandably angry and frustrated when they learned that essential food items, medical supplies, and financial aid intended for the needy could have been diverted or not distributed as promised. 

ALSO READ: NRTC WEEKLY: Top 5 trending stories across the country this week

This anger was particularly acute among those who were struggling to make ends meet, resulting in calling for thorough investigations into the mishandling of palliatives. 

In summary, Nigerians’ reactions to the mishandling of palliative distribution reflected their frustration with the lack of transparency and accountability in government actions. 

Here, the cotton of this week’s episode of NRTC WEEKLY will drop. Join us for another edition next week as we take you around the trending stories in Nigeria.