By Uzair Adam

The recent appointment of a Kano-based social media personality, Fateemah Naseer, popularly known as Teemahcool, into a political role within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked renewed debate, not just over the decision itself, but over what many see as a troubling signal about the direction of political culture in Kano.

The appointment, announced on Wednesday in a Facebook post by Shamsu Coverage and sighted by The Daily Reality, comes only weeks after Fateemah’s involvement in the widely condemned “pant saga” that dominated public discourse across the state.

The controversy dates back to a political gathering organised during the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who was in Kano to commission a road project.

At the event, Fateemah reportedly mobilised a group of women who raised underwear in a coordinated display, widely interpreted as a mockery directed at Eng. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State.

Accompanied by chants of “dan kanfan tsula,” a derogatory slogan used in political rivalry, the act drew immediate backlash, particularly in a society deeply rooted in religious and cultural values.

Many observers described the display as not only indecent but also damaging to the image of Kano, especially given the expectations placed on women in the Hausa cultural context.

The Daily Reality reports that in response to the outrage, the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, summoned those involved alongside Islamic clerics for a public prayer session (dua), where they were urged to seek forgiveness.

While the move was seen by some as a culturally appropriate step, others criticised it as insufficient, arguing that it diverted attention from the need for accountability.

The situation has now taken a new turn with Fateemah’s appointment as S.A by Yusuf Imam (Ogan Boye), the Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government Area.

For many critics, the timing of the appointment—coming shortly after the incident—raises serious concerns.

Many argue that rather than serving as a corrective moment, the development risks being interpreted as tacit approval, or even encouragement, of conduct that had already been widely condemned.

In a political environment where symbols and actions carry significant weight, such decisions may shape future behaviour among party supporters.

“This creates a dangerous incentive structure,” a political observer noted on Facebook. “If controversial actions that attract public outrage are followed by political reward, it suggests that visibility—regardless of its moral implications—can be a pathway to recognition.”

Beyond individual responsibility, the episode points to a broader challenge within political communication and party discipline.

The initial incident, amplified by social media and partisan rivalry, exposed how quickly narratives can spiral in the absence of coordinated messaging.

The subsequent appointment, rather than calming tensions, has instead deepened public scepticism.

The public display of underwear as a form of political expression—and its apparent aftermath—has therefore been viewed as a significant departure from established norms.

Critics warn that if such actions are normalised, they could redefine the boundaries of acceptable political behaviour, not only in Kano but potentially across other northern states.

This concern becomes even more pronounced as the country gradually moves toward the 2027 general elections, where political messaging and mobilisation are expected to intensify.

While supporters within the APC may view the appointment as routine or politically strategic, the broader public reaction suggests a deeper unease.

The Daily Reality observed that for many, the question is no longer just about one incident or one individual, but about the standards being set—and whether Kano’s political future will be shaped by values or by viral spectacle.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed fresh money laundering charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over an alleged ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project fraud.

The 11-count charge, filed on April 17, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, invokes the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to court documents, El-Rufai allegedly approved an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company the commission claims lacked the requisite competence. The ICPC further alleges that between 2017 and 2022, multiple large sums were received and transferred by individuals and firms linked to the project, including Singularity Network Security Limited and other unnamed entities.

Other defendants include Jimi Lawal, a former Kaduna State government official, senior executives of IHS Towers, and five companies. Bashir El-Rufai, one of the former governor’s sons, was named in the allegations but is not listed as a defendant.

This marks the third set of charges the ICPC has filed against El-Rufai since March. He is already facing separate corruption cases over a light rail contract and alleged illegal severance payments — all of which he has previously denied.

The State Security Service (SSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are also investigating or prosecuting the former governor over other allegations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has approved N2 billion as relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, amid criticism that victims of attacks in states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina have not received similar attention.

The attack in Jos left at least 28 people dead after gunmen opened fire at a popular bar.

The presidency made the announcement on Wednesday through Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy. He said Mohammed Dorro, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, disclosed the intervention during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

Onanuga explained that the meeting involved a 32-member delegation from Plateau State. Discussions focused on finding a lasting solution to recurring violence in the state. He added that the engagement fulfilled Tinubu’s promise to meet stakeholders after the Angwa Rukuba incident.

However, some observers have expressed concern that similar large-scale attacks in parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and other states have not attracted the same level of federal response, a situation they say raises questions about equity in addressing security crises.

Speaking at the meeting, Tinubu called on leaders to work together to restore peace. He said Plateau had long been known for peaceful coexistence. He urged participants to return to their communities and promote reconciliation with “open minds”.

“No protocols, no hinderances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” the president said.

Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, welcomed the federal government’s intervention. He described the meeting as significant. He noted that it was the first time all living former governors of the state gathered to deliberate on peace.

Mutfwang assured the president that stakeholders would implement agreed resolutions and sustain efforts toward stability. He also pledged commitment to unity. He said the state plans to “turn conflict into profit” by addressing poverty and exclusion.

“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the Plateau… we are determined to close all divides of religion and ethnicity,” the governor said.

Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the traditional ruler of the Berom community, called for stronger security measures. He requested increased military presence and the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems across Plateau. He also urged accelerated consideration of state police.

He further appealed for federal support to enable internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their ancestral homes before the rainy season.

The delegation included former governors Simon Lalong, Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, and Fidelis Tapgun. Others present were Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional rulers, retired security chiefs, religious leaders, and youth representatives.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A man in eastern India has triggered widespread anger after he carried the skeletal remains of his late sister to a bank in an attempt to prove that she had died and access her savings.

The incident involved Jitu Munda, 52, from Odisha state. A video showing him taking the remains to a bank branch surfaced online this week and quickly went viral. The development drew strong reactions across the country.

Munda explained that he took the drastic step after several failed attempts to withdraw money belonging to his sister, Kalara, who died earlier this year at the age of 56. He said bank officials repeatedly demanded proof of her death before releasing the funds.

“When the bank manager refused to listen and kept asking for proof, I got frustrated,” he said. “I brought the skeleton to show that she had died.”

Police confirmed that Munda dug up his sister’s remains and transported them to the bank premises. The incident occurred on Monday in Keonjhar district.

In response, the bank rejected claims that it asked him to present the physical remains of the deceased. Officials stated that only standard legal documents were required to process the request. They added that the situation appeared to result from a misunderstanding of procedures. The bank also said the funds have now been released to the rightful beneficiaries.

The case attracted national attention. Many observers criticised both local authorities and the bank for not offering adequate guidance to the man. Others pointed to the bureaucratic challenges families face when trying to access a deceased relative’s funds, especially in rural communities.

Under Indian law, if a person dies without naming a nominee on their bank account, relatives must present documents such as a death certificate and proof of legal heirship. This process can be slow in remote areas where access to documentation is limited.

The bank further alleged that Munda initially arrived in an “inebriated state” and caused a disturbance before returning later with the remains. It described the situation as “distressing”.

Branch manager Sushant Kumar Sethi said Munda first claimed his sister was paralysed and unable to visit the bank. According to him, staff had offered to visit her at home. He added that Munda later reported her death and had not visited the branch in the past two months. He also noted that other legal heirs had come forward, which prompted officials to request proper documentation.

Authorities have since stepped in to resolve the matter. Police and local officials persuaded Munda to return the remains to the burial site and assured him that his concerns would be addressed.

Odisha’s Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said the case is under investigation and that action will be taken against the branch manager over alleged misconduct. The Keonjhar district administration also expressed “deep concern” and stressed that safeguarding citizens’ rights and dignity remains a priority.

Officials later issued the necessary death certificate and documents confirming legal heirs. The bank confirmed that the money has now been handed over to the family. Munda has also been offered financial assistance of 30,000 rupees.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), citing public interest.

In a statement released Thursday, the President also announced the nomination of Mr Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive, subject to Senate confirmation.

The decision, made under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, is part of efforts to strengthen regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector, aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr Umar brings over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, with a track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

Pending Senate confirmation, the most senior official of the NMDPRA will oversee operations in an acting capacity.

President Tinubu thanked the outgoing chief executive for his service and wished him well in future endeavours, while reaffirming his commitment to capable leadership in key regulatory institutions to advance energy security, sector reform, and sustainable economic growth.

By Anwar Usman

President Bola Tinubu has approved the allocation of plots of land to Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners-designate in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed on Wednesday.

The minister made the announcement while receiving the envoys on a courtesy visit at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.

The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, as part of an induction programme for the newly appointed ambassadors.

According to the minister, the president’s decision was driven by the need to give Nigeria’s overseas representatives a permanent foothold in the capital for when they return for periodic briefings.

“The President believes that most of you do not have a place in Abuja… he will encourage you to see how you will put up where you can stay. Before you leave this morning, each and every one of you should have your form to apply for a land allocation in Abuja,” Wike said.

The minister further used the occasion to charge the envoys with the responsibility and urged them to defend and project Nigeria’s international standing. “You are, in essence, the mirror of this country. The way the world sees you is the way it will see Nigeria,” he said.

He tasked them with reinforcing the economic diplomacy work that President Tinubu had been conducting through extensive foreign engagements.

Mr President has travelled extensively to attract investment and partnerships. It is now your role to reinforce that effort by building confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment,” the minister stated.

Wike also drew attention to development opportunities in the FCT, pointing to infrastructure expansion across the six area councils — Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali — as evidence of Abuja’s growing stature as a global capital.

Wike also announced ongoing partnership talks with Saudi Arabia and Egypt to develop key sectors, as well as plans to engage the European Commission on development cooperation.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s near-term prospects, saying: “I remain confident that by 2027, Nigeria will be more peaceful, more united, and stronger as a nation.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has applauded soldiers who took their own lives during combat in Ukraine, where they were fighting alongside Russian forces. His remarks appear to confirm reports that such actions were encouraged to prevent capture.

Speaking at a ceremony in Pyongyang, Kim described those who “unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting, suicide attack, in order to defend the great honour” as “heroes”.

Estimates from South Korea indicate that about 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russia’s efforts in the western Kursk region. Reports suggest that more than 6,000 of them have died, although neither North Korea nor Russia has officially verified these figures.

For some time, intelligence sources and defectors have claimed that Pyongyang instructed its soldiers to avoid being taken prisoner, even if it meant ending their own lives.

During the event on Monday, Kim praised what he called unwavering loyalty among the troops. “Their self-sacrifice expecting no compensation, and the devotion expecting no reward… This [is] the definition of the height of loyalty of our army,” he said.

The ceremony marked the unveiling of a memorial dedicated to North Korean soldiers who died in the conflict. Among those present were Russia’s Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and the speaker of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin.

In North Korea, military doctrine treats capture as a serious betrayal.

Earlier this year, a South Korean broadcaster aired footage of two captured North Korean soldiers in Ukraine. One of them expressed regret for not ending his life. “Everyone else blew themselves up. I failed,” the prisoner said.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service had earlier reported that notes recovered from fallen North Korean troops suggested adherence to this extreme practice.

Kim also honoured those who died in battle, including fighters who were unable to complete their assigned missions. “Those who fell in the vanguard of charges and those who writhed in frustration at the failure to fulfill their duties as soldiers who were given orders, rather than in pain in their bodies torn by bullets and shells – they too can be called the party’s faithful warriors and patriots,” he stated.

In June 2024, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement that commits both nations to support each other in the event of “aggression”. At the time, Kim described the pact as the “strongest ever”.

Apart from deploying troops, North Korea has also pledged to send thousands of workers to assist in reconstruction efforts in the Kursk region.

The United States government has announced plans to release a limited number of special passports that will carry the image of President Donald Trump. The initiative is intended to mark the country’s 250th Independence anniversary.

The State Department said the passports will be produced as a special edition and will only be available for a short period.

Officials noted that the move departs from established norms in democratic nations, where it is uncommon for a sitting president’s image to appear in official travel documents.

The department’s spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, said the release is scheduled to coincide with the July 4 celebrations.

Reports indicate that the passports will be obtainable at designated locations in Washington and will not attract any additional cost.

However, lawmakers from the Democratic Party have criticised the decision, accusing the government of misusing taxpayers’ money.

By Grey Akans 

In the lush, undulating hills and valleys of Southern Kaduna, a quiet crisis is unfolding. It is not the kind that makes headlines with sudden violence, but one that works its way silently through generations, eroding the very bedrock of our identity. Our languages, the ancient vessels of our wisdom, history, and worldview, are gradually going extinct.

Each of the dozens of languages spoken here—Gbagyi, Bajju, Atyap, Kataf, Jaba, Fantswam, and many more—is a unique universe. They are not mere collections of words but intricate systems of knowledge. Our languages carry the names of medicinal plants known only to our ancestors, the proverbs that distilled centuries of wisdom, and the folktales told under the moonlight that taught us morality and courage. They hold the specific terms for the textures of soil, the phases of the moon for farming, and the subtle behaviours of animals. When a language dies, it is not just words that are lost; it is an entire library of human experience and ecological understanding that burns down, leaving no ashes behind.

The forces behind this silent extinction are complex and powerful. The dominance of Hausa as the lingua franca of commerce, administration, and social interaction in Northern Nigeria is a primary factor. For our children to thrive in markets and schools outside our communities, fluency in Hausa becomes a necessity, often at the expense of their mother tongue. Adding to this is the overwhelming influence of English, the official language of education and modernity. From nursery school to university, success is measured in one’s command of English. Our native tongues are increasingly confined to the homesteads, and even there, their territory is shrinking.

Perhaps the most painful agent of this loss is our own shift in attitude. A dangerous narrative has taken root, subtly branding our languages as “local” or “vernacular”—synonyms for backwardness in the minds of many. Parents, with the best intentions for their children’s future, now speak to them only in Hausa or English, believing they are giving them a head start in life. Unwittingly, they are severing the deepest root connecting their children to their heritage. The younger generation, fluent in the languages of the wider world, now stumbles over the proverbs of their grandparents. The rich, melodic tones of our ancestors are becoming unfamiliar, replaced by the utilitarian cadence of global tongues.

The consequences are profound. When a people lose their language, they experience a form of cultural amnesia. The unique songs sung during harvest, the playful riddles that sharpened our wits—all these fade into silence. We risk becoming a people without a past, adrift in a homogenised global culture, our distinct identity diluted into a vague, generic label.

But the whisper is not yet silent. There is still time to act. The fight for linguistic survival must begin at home. We must consciously choose to speak our languages to our children, making them the language of love, play, and storytelling. Our community leaders and cultural associations must take the lead by documenting these languages, producing written literature, and organising festivals that celebrate them. We can lobby for the inclusion of our native tongues in the early school curriculum, not to replace English or Hausa, but to stand proudly beside them.

Our languages are more than just a means of communication; they are the soul of Southern Kaduna. They are the breath of our ancestors and the birthright of our children. To let them die is to surrender a part of ourselves we can never recover. We must listen to the fading whisper and raise our voices to sing our songs, tell our stories, and speak our names once more, loudly and proudly, before they are lost to the wind forever.

Grey Akans can be contacted via his Facebook account: Grey Akans.

By Maryam Ahmad

A former head of Israel’s intelligence agency has sharply condemned rising settler violence in the West Bank, saying it has left him “ashamed to be a Jew.”

Tamir Pardo, who led Mossad from 2011 to 2016, made the remarks in a recent interview, warning that attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities are eroding Israel’s moral standing and threatening its long-term security. His comments come amid an uptick in reported incidents involving arson, assaults, and property damage in the territory.

Human rights organisations have documented a rise in settler-related violence in recent months, often carried out with limited accountability. Israeli authorities say they are working to curb such incidents, but critics argue enforcement remains inconsistent.

Pardo’s intervention adds to a growing chorus of current and former security officials voicing concern over developments in the West Bank. He urged the government to uphold the rule of law and take decisive action against perpetrators, warning that failure to do so risks further escalation and international isolation.