These are the top ten stories that drove conversation this week.
Benue flood
President Muhammadu Buhari intervened in the devastating flood in Benue State which saw the displacement of over 100,000 people, also destroying homes.
Buhari directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide aid to the victims – which was obeyed.
Buhari’s intervention saw the adverse reactions of Nigerians on Twitter, who said Buhari pretended not to know that the flood had gone on for a while.
Intervening also, former President Goodluck Jonathan posted on Twitter that he had called well-meaning Nigerians to donate towards helping the victims, of which he wrote that a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar had donated N5 million.
In what was described as a belated reaction, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited Benue to see the victims, where he promised that the government will find a lasting solution to the problem, starting with the dredging of River Benue.
The governor of the state, Samuel Ortom also predicted food scarcity later this year, if necessary actions don’t take place.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) also this week, inaugurated medical assistance to victims of the flood.
And, Nigerian singer, Tuface and wife, Annie Idibia arrived Benue to assist in aiding the victims of the flood.
Nnamdi Kanu
Coming hard on the Federal Government’s plan to re-arrest him, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu dared anyone who attempted to arrest him, also stating that he would sacrifice his life, even his family to ensure that Biafra is restored.
Also, the leader of Arewa Youth, Shettima Yerima, said the IPOB leader is only making noise with talks of Biafra; in the same interview, explaining why the Northern youth gave a quit notice to Igbos in the Northern region and why they eventually withdrew it.
The leadership of IPOB also refuted claims that Mr Kanu would go on exile to evade re-arrest.
Earlier, the leader of MASSOB, Ralph Uwazurike said Mr Kanu is only being used by the government to undermine the real struggle for the actualisation of Biafra.
NNPC’s intervention in petroleum products
The NNPC stated that its intervention in petroleum products led to the reduction from the wholesale and retail prices of fuel and diesel.
Angry reactions came from Marketers and PENGASSAN.
Resident doctors strike
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) embarked on a ‘total and indefinite’ strike, decrying the Federal Government’s lacklustre attitude towards meeting their demands.
Reacting, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) described the strike as ‘illegal’, threatening the doctors not to join the strike or risk internship repeat.
The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, showing his displeasure, asked that ad hoc doctors be employed to hospitals.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige also said the decision of the doctors to go on strike was ‘rascally’ considering they had met and come to an agreement.
Although they met with the FG they remained resolute and said the strike would continue.
Meanwhile, ASUU reached an agreement with FG, saying they go back, speak with their members and announce if the strike would end or not.
Recession
An NBS report said Nigeria had moved out of the worst recession experienced in over 20 years.
An opinion piece, written after that, asks if the end of the recession is another fulfilled promise of the Buhari-led administration.
The Nigerian Senate, in reaction, said they are glad Nigeria is finally out of recession, as it had taken a great toll in the lives of Nigerians.
Another opinion piece, says Nigeria is, according to statistics, out of recession, what about finding a way of the bondage of being hostage to oil?
However, the PDP Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi said the statistics given was different from the reality. Where the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said the recovery from recession is only weak and feeble.
A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar also negated the statistics, saying Nigeria was very much still in recession.
The Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) said Nigeria cannot exit recession until a reliable production-based solution is in place.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed also asked that Nigerians stop politicising Nigeria’s exit from recession.
Nigerians musicians on the international scene
Nigerian singer Skales in an interview described how he has a good relationship with Nicki Minaj; considering she more often sends him DMs to discuss music ideas.
The visit to Atiku that sparked reactions
A video of a minister in the Buhari administration, Aisha Alhassan, emerged online where she was seen initiating a campaign for Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 Presidential election.
When criticised, she said she would support Atiku in 2019 even if Buhari contests, as Atiku is her godfather.
In another interview, Alhassan said her loyalty to Buhari is ‘unshakable’ and those questioning her visit to Atiku and obvious campaign are only playing politics.
Visiting Aso Rock, Alhassan says she does not fear sack, as if it happens, only God had then willed it.
She also claimed Buhari promised not to contest in 2019.
The governor of Kaduna, Nasir el-Rufai said Alhassan has never been loyal to President Buhari.
M.I.’s interview that trended for a while
Nigerian singer, M.I. Abaga had an interview with Pulse TV’s Osagie Alonge – Loose talk podcast – and he came out straight with so many things but also sparked reactions from fans – both positive and negative.
The EFCC power list
A list of top Nigerians currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) emerged online – a list that Nigerians had wanted for a long time.
On the list is Chief Justice Onnoghen, who said he is not hiding anything and that the EFCC could invite him to answer to anything.
Considering the list was not published formally by the agency, the agency said the list, which had been made public, only compromised their investigations.
Reacting to allegations, the AGF said his office did not leak the list to newsmen.
Prof Sagay and the Senate
Chairman of PACAC, Prof Itse Sagay, queried the sharp contrasts between the salaries of a Nigerian Senator and that of a U.S. President, asking the Senate to review their salaries and stop milking Nigerians.
In reaction, the Senate asked that President Buhari call Prof Sagay to order as he was only making unfounded comments on their salaries and wages.
Not wasting time, Prof Sagay said he would not stop talking as he was speaking nothing but the truth.
