SIX REMARKABLE EVENTS THAT SHAPED LAST WEEK'S STORYLINES IN THE CYBERSPACE AND NIGERIAN MEDIA.

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna.

Owerri, Imo State.

The Nigerian socio-economic and political sceen has always been dramatic and with hive of activities; either for the good or bad reasons.

In our avowed efforts to give weekly trending stories a recap, 4th Estate Reporters has randomly selected a few stories that dotted the media in the last couple of days; Monday to Sunday .

✓ HEALTH:

Apart from emerging stories about the Third Wave of COVID- 19 pandemic, which is reported in some sections of the media to have claimed not less than 100 lives since its new phase of outbreak in Lagos State; as an average 6 deaths are recorded on daily basis according to the public address by Governor Babajide Sanwo -Olu at the national briefing of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, led by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire .

The resurgence of the SARS -COV-2 is here with us, kindly take all precautionary measures against this dreaded global pandemic ; wash your hands regularly , apply hand sanitizers, use your nose masks and maintain personal hygiene while keeping one mile - distance.

✓ SECURITY

LOOMING ETHNO- RELIGIOUS CRISIS:

Coming from Jos, the capital of Plateau State ,
a heart wrecking story emanated as 22 travellers returning from a religious event in Bauchi State were killed.

4th Estate Reporters gathered that , some persons suspected to be a militia youth group waylaid the travellers and opened fire on a convoy of five buses conveying some moslem faithful , who were heading to Ikare , Ondo State, for an annual Zikr prayer meeting in Bauchi , killing 22 pilgrims , while several others sustained different degrees of injuries; others are still missing .

✓ PEOPLE AND EVENTS :

EXPECTEDLY, President Muhammadu Buhari son 's traditional weeding rites in Kano, Yusuf and Zahra , recorded the highest attendance of creme da la creme of the Nigerian political and business class ; State governors , Ministers , Senators , federal lawamkers in the House of Representatives, Heads of Government Ministries , Departments and Agencies , members of the Diplomatic Corps , etc, threw caution to the wind to grace the colourful watershed event which ended with a luncheon at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday .

Amid bitting hardship associated with a comatose economy , restiveness across the country, growing concern of security impasse and a possible break -up , well over 100 rented and private jets by state governors , business men and other politicians landed in Kano for the exchange of marital vows between Yusuf Buhari and his heartrob; Zahra Nasir Bayero, daughter of Emir of Bichi ; Ado Bayero .

Former Vice - President , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stole the show as he exchanged banters with President Muhammadu Buhari in the admiration of the Nigerian media .

The Northern Political Class has a game plan. Forget party politics.

POLITICS | ANTI -GRAFT:

The social media was awash last week as the Spokesman for the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Wilson Uwujaren , announced the arrest of a former governor of Abia State, now Senator representating Abia Central Senatorial District, Sen .Theodore Orji.
Chief Theodore Orji, 4th Estate Reporters gathered , was proactively intercepted by the Anti -Graft Agency at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja , at about 10:am on Thursday and brought to the Headquarters of the Commission at Jabi, Abuja , for continuation of his interrogation.

The embattled Senator, T.A. Orji is being quizzed alongside his son, Chinedu Orji , who is the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, whom our source authoritatively gathered turned himself in upon learning of his father’s arrest.

Senator Orji and his sons, Chinedu and Ogbonna, are under investigation by the EFCC for offences bordering on misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.

Meanwhile, the media was also jolted during the weekend as an unconfirmed N551 Billion was reported to have been traced to the former governor son's accounts in over 100 bank account details .

THE BIG QUESTION ?

Will all these corruption charges and pending court cases against him be temporarily dropped if he eventually joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)? , as in the case of his immediate predecessor, Sen. Orji Uzor kalu.

✓ SPORTS |NAIROBI -2021:

UDODI ONWUZURIKE CLINCHES GOLD MEDAL IN THE JUST CONCLUDED NAIROBI -2021 WORLD ATHLETICS U-20 CHAMPIONSHIPS, AS HE IS CELEBRATED BY THE WORLD .

While it seems the Nigeria's social space , in the recent times , is known for terrifying stories about insurgency , banditry, kidnapping, gruesome murder of innocent lives and related frightening reports; apart from the major challenge of mass youth unemployment and economic hardships across the 36 states of the federation.

Last weekend, the country excitedly experienced another ray of hope with a better tomorrow as Team -Nigeria made the country proud in the just concluded World Athletics U-20 Championships in the heart of East Africa ; Nairobi-Kenya 2021.

Humbly standing shoulders high before the world stage and international media , little - known young Standford University Athlete , Udodi Onwuzurike, born to Nigerian �� parents Chief & Dr. Mrs. Chris Onwuzurike from Abba in Nwangele LGA, Imo State, took the world by surprise as he clinched the gold medal in his first outing for Nigeria .

Rated with the speed of Carl Lewis of Americaand strength of Usain Bolt of Jamacia, the fleet - footed good medalist , Udodi Onwuzurike , made a striking, mind-blowing and remarkble win in the 200m Men's Race with two outstanding feathers of Personal Best (PB) at 20.21s and Championship Record title.

Deluge of congratulatory messages; from Nigeria 's Minister of Youth & Sports , Sunday Dare, Atlanta ' 96 Gold Medalist (High jump category ), Mrs. Chioma Ajunwa, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, have ever since greeted the gold medalist as 4th Estate Reporters Media Crew shall comprehensively capture these goodwill messages from government functionaries , organisations and private individuals; home and abroad .


✓ ROYALTY| TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION.



EZE NDIGBO GHANA, HRM AMB. DR. IHENETU CONFERS CHIEFTAINCE TITLE ON SURVIVORS OF TUSLA RACE MASSACRE, AS GHANA OFFERS THEM CITIZENSHIP.

A cheering news coming from the highly revered royal palace and traditional stool of Eze Amb. Dr. Chukwudi Ihenetu (Eze Ohazurume), Eze Igbo ndigbo Ghana, as history was made last week when the Igbo community in Ghana, the Ghanaian government in conjunction with the Nigeria High Commission organised grand cultural reception for survivors of Tusla, Oklahoma USA massacre victims which took place in 1921.


✓ 5TH EDITION OF GHANA NIGERIA ACHIEVERS' AWARD RECORDED HUGE SUCCESS.

4TH ESTATE REPORTERS, MEDIA PARTNERS



+ Njoku MacDonald Obinna