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By Muhammad Abubakar

Spanish footballer Jesús de Miguel has died at the age of 30, a day after suffering a serious injury following a collision with a goalkeeper during a Spanish second-division match.

De Miguel, a striker for CD Tenerife, was involved in the incident during Monday’s match against FC Andorra at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López.

The forward was chasing a long ball when Andorra goalkeeper Jesús Owono rushed out of his goal to intercept it. Owono’s knee struck De Miguel during the challenge, leaving the Tenerife player motionless on the pitch.

Medical personnel immediately attended to him before he was taken to hospital by ambulance. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest following the collision.

The match, which was tied at 2-2, was abandoned during stoppage time, while Owono received a straight red card for the challenge.

Tenerife confirmed De Miguel’s death in a statement on Tuesday, saying he passed away at 8:00 a.m. local time.

The club expressed deep sorrow over his death and extended its condolences to his family, friends, teammates and supporters.

Born in Madrid, De Miguel began his professional career with Leganés B in 2015 before playing for several Spanish clubs. He joined Tenerife in 2025 and helped the club secure promotion to the second division.

His death has prompted tributes from across the Spanish football community, including FC Andorra and several other clubs.

By Shamwil Ibrahim (Justice)

Dauda Kahutu Rarara, I have a question for you: after all your years in Kannywood, is Triple R really the best name you could come up with?

Creativity should mean more than having a popular name, a large following, or the ability to attract attention. It should also mean having the imagination to create something distinctive, something people can associate with your vision without immediately conjuring an established historical legacy.

The name Triple R Kannywood for Renewed Hope Initiative merits more than a passing glance. For anyone familiar with Nigeria’s history, the name immediately evokes the Three Rs introduced under General Yakubu Gowon’s government after the Nigerian Civil War: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

Rarara, did no one on your team pause to consider the historical association before settling on this name? Was there no alternative that could give the initiative a more distinctive identity? Or has the standard for creativity in our entertainment industry fallen so low that a name only needs to sound appealing to be accepted?

That is what troubles me.

Kannywood is built on storytelling, music, imagination and expression. Its artists understand the power of words and the importance of creating work that captures people’s attention. Yet the name of this association has left the public asking why a concept so closely associated with an important chapter in Nigeria’s history has resurfaced in this form.

If you want people to take your initiative seriously, give them a reason to see it as something genuinely distinctive. Do not expect applause simply because your name is attached to it.

You have spent years building your reputation, Rarara. One would expect that experience to be reflected in the ideas associated with your name. Instead, the choice of Triple R raises an obvious question: why this name, when so many possibilities are available?

I am not claiming that the resemblance proves deliberate copying. I am questioning why a public figure with your experience would choose a name that immediately invites comparison with an established historical policy. That is a legitimate question, and it deserves a serious answer.

Unfortunately, public discussions in Nigeria sometimes confuse criticism with hatred. When a popular figure is questioned, some supporters rush to defend them without addressing the issue itself. That attitude does little to encourage accountability or improve the quality of ideas in our creative industry.

Popularity is not a substitute for originality. Influence is not proof of creativity. And fame should never put anyone beyond public scrutiny.

Kannywood needs people who can think beyond the familiar. It needs fresh identities, bold ideas, and individuals who understand that influence comes with responsibility. We should challenge our creative people to raise their standards rather than lower our expectations because they have become popular.

So, Rarara, what informed this choice? Was the historical connection considered? What makes Triple R the right identity for your association? And what distinguishes it from the concept Nigerians have known for decades?

These are fair questions. You may disagree with my criticism, but that does not make the questions themselves unreasonable.

My concern is not that you have established an association. My concern is that an opportunity to demonstrate originality has produced a name that invites an immediate comparison with history.

If we cannot question the choices of influential figures in our entertainment industry, then what exactly are we allowed to question?

Kannywood deserves creativity. The public deserves explanations. And those who occupy influential positions should be prepared to defend their decisions.

TRIPLE R. WHY THIS NAME? WHY NOT SOMETHING DISTINCTIVELY YOUR OWN?

Shamwil Ibrahim (Justice) can be reached via Ibrahimshamawilu@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Vice President Kashim Shettima has acknowledged the economic hardship facing Nigerians as a result of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms but appealed to citizens to re-elect President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Shettima made the appeal on Sunday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Cross River State.

While defending the administration’s economic policies, the Vice President argued that although the reforms had imposed difficulties on citizens, their benefits were beginning to emerge and Nigerians should allow more time for the policies to deliver their expected results.

He compared Tinubu’s leadership approach with that of Singapore’s former Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, noting that difficult decisions were sometimes necessary to achieve long-term national development.

Shettima urged Nigerians to assess the administration’s performance in the context of the economic situation it inherited when it assumed office in 2023.

He also called on Cross River residents to support the re-election of Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu, Deputy Governor Peter Odey and APC candidates contesting legislative positions in 2027.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Otu highlighted several federal infrastructure projects expected to benefit the state, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and the proposed Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar.

According to him, the projects could improve transportation, attract investments and create employment opportunities for residents.

Otu also cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as one of the Federal Government’s initiatives aimed at reducing the financial burden of tertiary education on families.

He urged residents to support the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

The rally was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, APC governors, party officials and other political stakeholders.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected bandits have abducted 14 students of an Islamic school in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The students were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday while assisting their Mallam with maize harvesting on his farm in Tungan-Bako village.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, clarifying that the number of abducted students was 14, not 50 as claimed in some reports.

According to the police spokesman, preliminary information indicated that the students were helping their Islamic school teacher harvest maize when the gunmen struck.

He said joint security operatives had commenced rescue operations to secure the students’ release.

Abiodun added that further developments would be communicated as efforts to rescue the victims continued.

The abduction adds to concerns over the safety of students and residents in parts of Niger State, particularly communities exposed to attacks by suspected bandits.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Assembly has proposed creating 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives, alongside three reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly, as part of efforts to improve female representation in Nigeria’s political system.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Law Week organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

The event, held under the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children,” brought together lawmakers, legal practitioners and other stakeholders.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District and serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal was part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Under the proposed arrangement, 37 additional seats would be created in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives, with each state and the Federal Capital Territory entitled to one additional seat in both chambers.

The proposed seats would be reserved for women without affecting the existing constituencies or displacing elected representatives.

Bamidele further disclosed that the proposal included three additional seats exclusively reserved for women in each state House of Assembly.

He said the arrangement was designed to operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which it would undergo a comprehensive review.

According to him, the temporary arrangement would provide women with greater opportunities to participate in legislative decision-making while encouraging a more inclusive political culture.

He explained that the National Assembly had begun the constitutional review process early to allow extensive consultations and consensus-building rather than rushing the exercise.

The Senate Leader stressed that the proposal was not a partisan political initiative but an effort to address the longstanding exclusion of women from political representation.

He, however, noted that the support of state Houses of Assembly was constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to become law.

Bamidele also called for stronger legal and institutional measures to protect women, children and persons with disabilities, particularly in accessing healthcare, education, social protection and justice.

He said victims of domestic violence and child abuse should have access to legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support, while perpetrators must be held accountable in accordance with the law.

The lawmaker urged greater cooperation among the legislature, executive, judiciary, security agencies, religious and traditional institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector to strengthen the protection of vulnerable groups.

He also encouraged FIDA to continue engaging the National Assembly by identifying gaps in existing laws and proposing reforms that would improve the welfare and rights of women and children.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger legal frameworks to address emerging forms of abuse, particularly those facilitated by technology and economic vulnerabilities.

She identified cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children through digital platforms as growing concerns requiring coordinated action.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, described Bamidele as well-positioned to address the issues and promote legislative reforms.

Earlier, the FIDA Ekiti State Chairperson, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women and children, urging stronger laws and institutions to ensure justice remains accessible and effective.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Five police officers are feared dead following an ambush by suspected bandits on a police convoy travelling from Sokoto State to Zamfara State for a special duty assignment.

The attack reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 1, when armed men opened fire on the convoy, which was made up of three vehicles.

A police officer who was part of the team but survived the attack confirmed the incident, explaining that the gunmen targeted the vehicle at the rear of the convoy.

Speaking to PUNCH on condition of anonymity, the officer said five of his colleagues were killed in the attack.

“We were travelling in three vehicles when they suddenly opened fire on the third vehicle behind us. Five of our members were killed in the process,” he said.

The officer disclosed that the personnel were travelling to Zamfara State for a special assignment when they were ambushed.

Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed the bodies of some officers inside a vehicle, with their hands and legs allegedly tied with ropes. Their belongings were also seen scattered around the scene, while bloodstains were visible inside the vehicle.

Efforts to obtain an official comment from the Police Zone 10 spokesperson, ASP Abdallah Faruku, were unsuccessful, as his telephone number could not be reached at the time of filing the report.

As of the time of publication, the police had not issued an official statement confirming the reported deaths.

The Daily Reality

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria appears to have placed itself in a catch-22, so to speak, by failing to demonstrate sufficient decisiveness, consistency, and finality in handling candidates’ lists ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, including Sections 29(1) on the submission of candidates’ lists; 29(2) on candidates’ qualifications; 29(3) on the publication of candidates’ particulars; 77(2) on party membership registers; 77(4) on the submission of membership registers; 77(5) on eligibility to participate; 77(6) on valid membership registers; 77(7) on failure to submit registers; 84(1)–(2) on the nomination of candidates; and Section 85 on the qualification of aspirants, provide a legal framework for electoral administration.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment upholding the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) reinforces the need for clarity and consistent enforcement. These provisions should provide sufficient legal guidance for INEC to act decisively, subject to applicable court orders.

However, the Commission’s apparent back-and-forth has created unnecessary uncertainty. Today, a candidate’s name appears on the list; tomorrow, it disappears; the next day, people expect it to reappear.

This inconsistency has opened the door to accusations, speculation and finger-pointing, familiar features of Nigerian politics. It has also given politically dependent supporters, whose livelihoods revolve around politicians, opportunities to drag the names and reputations of high-placed individuals into needless controversies.

INEC must demonstrate firmness, consistency and independence in implementing electoral laws. Its decisions should be transparent, legally defensible and guided by established procedures rather than any other considerations.

Ultimately, however, the beauty of representative democracy lies in inclusiveness, fairness and equal opportunity; a system in which every qualified citizen has a fair chance to participate, either as a candidate on the ballot or as a voter at the polling unit.

Furthermore, since Nigeria’s democracy is still in the ‘learning stage’ the Electoral laws must be enforced firmly, but never at the expense of fairness, justice and democratic participation.

 Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

By Uzair Adam

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and Balarabe Sa’idu Gani for appointment as commissioners.

The two nominees’ names have been forwarded to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Speaker of the House, Jibril Isma’il Falgore, announced the nominations during plenary on Monday after reading a letter from the governor requesting the lawmakers’ consideration.

Falgore said the screening exercise would take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10am.

He explained that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bature currently serves as the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House and the official spokesperson to Governor Yusuf.

He has been among the key officials responsible for communicating the administration’s policies, activities and programmes to the public.

If confirmed, his appointment would mark a transition from his current position as the governor’s media aide to a cabinet role in the state government.

The latest nominations came barely a week after the House of Assembly screened and confirmed six commissioner nominees submitted by the governor.

Those confirmed included former commissioner, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, and former Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi.

With the latest nominations, the number of commissioner nominees recently forwarded by Governor Yusuf has risen to eight as his administration continues to constitute its cabinet.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the 20th anniversary of his coronation.

The governor described the milestone as an opportunity to recognise the Sultan’s contributions to religious leadership, national unity, peace and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Yusuf acknowledged the Sultan’s efforts in promoting Islamic values, strengthening interfaith relations and encouraging dialogue among people of different backgrounds.

He noted that the Sultan’s leadership had continued to provide guidance to the Muslim Ummah while contributing to efforts to promote peace, unity and stability across the country.

Yusuf also prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the Sultan good health, wisdom and strength to continue serving Islam, the Muslim community and the nation.

The governor further wished the monarch many more years of fruitful leadership, expressing hope that his reign would continue to bring blessings, peace and prosperity to Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, has arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected Indian hemp into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kurmawa, Kano.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Musbahu Kofar-Nassarawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Kano.

According to him, the incident occurred at about noon on Sunday when the suspect allegedly attempted to throw a substance suspected to be Indian hemp into the correctional facility.

He said officers of the Armed Squad Unit intercepted and apprehended the suspect following their vigilance and swift response.

The suspect, who reportedly resides in Janguza Quarters, Kano, was arrested under the supervision of the Commander of the Armed Squad Unit, CSC Usman M. Sale.

The Controller of Corrections in Kano State, Ahmed Yusuf-Lakpene, commended the officers for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to maintaining security across custodial facilities.

Yusuf-Lakpene reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy towards the smuggling of prohibited items into correctional centres.

He also urged members of the public to desist from attempts to introduce illicit substances and other prohibited materials into custodial facilities.

The command said the suspect had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and necessary action.

Yusuf-Lakpene reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening security measures across its custodial centres to ensure a safe environment for the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.