These are the top ten stories that drove conversation this week.

Continuing the conversation, NNPC replied the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, saying the Corporation is not mandated to discuss contracts with him – in reply to the Minister’s memo that contracts were awarded without his knowledge.

Maikanti Baru reiterated.

NUPENG, PENGASSAN declared support for Baru, saying he brought stability to NNPC.

Throwing out all disagreements in the bin, the duo of Kachikwu ad Baru met at the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja – the Energy Policy Committee breakout session, to discuss opportunities for the Petroleum Industry.

But, in a rather eye-itching manner, it was found out that the memo which Kachikwu claimed to have sent to Buhari only got to him after it got to the archives of the media.

It was in the light of the back and forth controversy that the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo said he awarded the contracts that Kachikwu was talking about. The Presidency, however, clarified the statement, saying Osinbajo gave authorisation for loans, not for contracts.

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On a lighter mood, the Super Eagles of Nigeria met Chipolopolo of Zambia and against all odds beat them at the Uyo stadium. That win led Nigeria to become the first African team to qualify for Russia 2018.

President Buhari afterwards congratulated the team, describing the win as “very sweet”.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu also “doff-ed” his cap for them.

The Egyptian team followed. Read highlights here.

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Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have insisted that SUKUK bonds should be reversed as they are from Sharia.

They had earlier alleged that the arrangement is another move by the Buhari-led government to Islamise Nigeria.

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Senator Ben Murray Bruce, in a surprising manner, said on Twitter that no one can ask how much he earns as a Senator if the said citizen is not a constituent.

He was replying to a user who said he should “clear the air” on the controversies of the salaries and allowances of a Nigeria Senator.

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A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Victor Malu, who served under a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, was reported dead, aged 70.

President Buhari has since released a statement to mourn him.

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Days after the daughter of the President, Zahra Buhari went to social media to decry the deplorable condition of the State House Clinic, the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari reiterated, saying it is far worse than previously reported.

Aisha also stated that Buhari’s absence gave Nnamdi Kanu the free will to go about his “atrocious” activities that also affected the health sector in Nigeria.

The House of Representatives, acting reactionary as usual, said the management of the State House Clinic would be probed.

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The Davido’s friend’s murder controversy continued this week.

The singer, however, dedicated his AFRIMMA awards to Tagbo Umeike and DJ Olu.

In the investigation, Lagos Police found drugs in DJ Olu’s car. Also, an autopsy revealed that Tagbo died of suffocation, not intoxication as earlier reported.

This led the police to re-invite Davido to answer for the “lies” he had earlier told in his statement. Davido, in reaction, insisted he has a clean heart and has no hand in the death of the either Tagbo or DJ Olu. He later released video footage to back up his claims.

In what might be termed a “coincidence”, the Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, who has been handling the case was demoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The Chairman, Police Service Commission, Dr Mike Okiro, has, however, dismissed the letter to the IGP to demote Edgal, saying the letter was from the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, not him.

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Having begun the export of yams and its subsequent rejection, The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh has said the country would not relent and continue as planned.

The House of Representatives, having “not known” that Nigeria had begun the exportation of yams, said Ogbeh and other stakeholders would be probed as such violates laid down rules.

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To avoid incessant strikes by workers, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige said there would be, henceforth, enforcement of the “no work, no pay” rule.

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This week ended with a statement from the World Bank saying President Buhari requested that focus be on re-building the North-East, ravaged by the insurgency – it did not pass without adverse reactions.

The Presidency, yet again, clarified the statement, saying President Buhari would always express concern for any part of the country that requires attention and at the moment, the North-East needs it more.