News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Barcelona midfielder Rodri has identified six Spain teammates he believes have strong claims to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

The prestigious individual award is scheduled to be presented next month in London, with Rodri himself among the 30 nominees.

The midfielder was part of the Spain squad that won the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he was also named the tournament’s best player.

Rodri said he would prefer to see a Spanish player receive the award this year.

“What I would really like is for a Spaniard to win it,” Rodri said as per Goal.

He went on to mention five other Spain players alongside himself who are nominated for the prize.

“There are six of us [nominated]: Cucurella, Cubarsi, Rodri, Ruiz, Lamine, and Ferran.

“I can tell you that, individually, every one of them absolutely deserves the Ballon d’Or. I think all my teammates have solid arguments.”

The players named by Rodri are Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.

The final winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced at the ceremony in London next month.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the commencement of the Faculty of Law at Federal University Dutse (FUD), alongside 30 new full-time academic programmes beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session. The approval was contained in a letter dated September 11, 2026, signed by the Director of Academic Planning, NUC, Abubakar M. Girei, and addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmad Mohammed Gumel.

The newly approved programmes cover diverse fields, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Systems, Common and Islamic Law, Community Health, Medical Laboratory Science, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Optometry, Parasitology and Entomology, Environmental Standards, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Applied Geology and Remote Sensing, as well as several education programmes.

At the postgraduate level, NUC also approved PGD, M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in Forestry and Wildlife, Accounting, Treasury and Finance, Banking and Finance, and Information Technology, alongside Master’s programmes in Banking and Finance and Accounting and Finance. The development expands FUD’s academic offerings across technology, health, science, education and management disciplines.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmad Mohammed Gumel, described the approval as a significant milestone in his administration’s effort to introduce new academic programmes. He said the programmes were designed to respond to emerging educational needs and equip students with relevant skills for industry and societal challenges. However, admission into the MBBS programme will not take place in the 2026/2027 academic session due to ongoing restructuring and adjustments in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

By Uzair Adam

Four female passengers have died after a boat carrying eight people capsized at Dudduru Pond in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The incident occurred around 4:00pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the pond, located about three kilometres from Kwadige Village.

The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud.

According to the NSCDC, the boat was transporting eight passengers from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market when it capsized while crossing the pond.

It was gathered that strong winds prevailing at the time may have contributed to the accident.

Four passengers died in the incident, while the other four were rescued.

The deceased were identified as Hasiya Mu’azu, 13; Hauwa Lawan, 13; Fatima Lawan, 12; and Dawsiyya Lawan, 13.

The NSCDC said the remains of the four victims had been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

The four survivors were rescued by farmers working around the pond shortly after the boat capsized.

Residents of Kwadige and Kuna communities also joined the rescue and recovery operations, assisting those affected by the incident.

The NSCDC State Commandant, CC Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Kwadige community over the tragedy.

Ingawa urged residents who use waterways for transportation to exercise caution, especially during periods of strong winds and unfavourable weather conditions.

He also advised boat operators and passengers to observe basic water-safety measures and avoid travelling when weather conditions pose risks to their lives.

The NSCDC further urged communities and boat users to prioritise safety measures to prevent similar incidents on waterways across the state.

By Anas Abbas

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, says he holds no bitterness toward friends, colleagues and relatives who have stayed silent during his current troubles. He says he leaves any judgment on those who wronged him to Almighty Allah.

In a statement titled “My Relationships and the Aftermath,” dated September 23, 2026, El-Rufai said some people had expressed concern over the apparent silence of those he had publicly stood by in the past. He described his own view as “quite simple.”

He said his support for people and causes over the years was guided by his Islamic faith, his Arewa upbringing, his personal values and his conscience. It was never done in expectation of praise, gratitude or reciprocity, he said, and he remains answerable for those choices.

El-Rufai said those he supported are equally free to choose how to respond now that circumstances have changed. Some may speak, others may stay silent, and some may even deny their past association with him. He said he would not judge them for responding differently from what he or others might have expected.
“Adversity has a way of illuminating relationships,” he said.

He added that what he has learnt in recent months may lead him to “quietly and without regret” reconsider certain relationships. He stressed that this was not reproach or condemnation, only “part of seeing people, and life, more clearly.”

He said he has no regrets about standing by anyone, would rather stay true to his principles than let others’ conduct redefine them, and seeks “neither revenge nor retribution” for any injustice or ingratitude.

He said ultimate accountability belongs to Almighty Allah, “in this world and in the Hereafter.”

El-Rufai closed by saying posterity will deliver its own verdict, and that his only concern is to remain at peace with his conscience and with Allah.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 19, as it investigates corruption allegations from his time as governor between 2015 and 2023.
He has cast himself as a victim of political victimisation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Farmers and herders in Kano State have expressed concern over a possible resurgence of clashes as the 2026 harvest season approaches.

The warning was issued by the state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abdullahi Ali Maibiredi, who said the longstanding dispute between farmers and herders had continued to affect livelihoods and, in some cases, led to destruction of property and loss of lives.

Maibiredi said authorities had yet to provide a lasting solution to the conflict despite its effects on agricultural activities across the state.

“I personally lost about 85 per cent of my crops last year, yet I did not see the necessary action taken to address the problem,” Maibiredi said.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to take preventive measures before the situation worsens and to promote peaceful relations between farmers and herders.

“We are calling on the authorities concerned to intervene and address this problem before it gets worse, especially now that we are entering the harvest period,” he said.

The chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kano State, retired Captain Abdullahi Bakoji, also acknowledged the concern and said the association had warned its members about the potential risks.

According to Bakoji, the anticipated return of transhumant herders from Niger to Kano before local farmers finish harvesting could create additional tension this year.

“In previous years, herders migrating to other areas, particularly from Niger, usually returned to Kano after the harvest. But this year, they are expected to return while harvesting is still ongoing,” Bakoji said.

He linked the expected early movement of the herders to water shortages in Niger and cautioned that their return could heighten the possibility of confrontations with farmers.

Bakoji said MACBAN had already communicated its concerns to the Kano and Jigawa state governments as well as security agencies.

“We have already sent reports and recommendations to the Kano and Jigawa state governments, as well as security agencies, so that preventive measures can be taken before the problem arises,” he said.

He also cited the closure and alleged illegal occupation of cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock resting points as some of the issues that have continued to fuel disagreements between farmers and herders.

“One of the roots of the problem is the way some cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock rest points have been closed or occupied illegally. We are therefore calling on the government to urgently look into the matter,” he said.

Bakoji further said MACBAN was prepared to work with relevant stakeholders towards resolving the issues and preventing further conflict.

Farmer-herder disputes have remained a longstanding issue in several parts of Nigeria, with some incidents resulting in deaths and the destruction of property.

In Kano State, however, the situation has reportedly recorded some improvement in recent years, although stakeholders remain concerned about possible tensions during the current harvest period.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has claimed that the US would not allow President Bola Tinubu to rig Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The firm made the claim in a post published on its verified X account on Thursday.

Von Batten-Montague-York also alleged that there is growing agreement across Nigeria’s political divide that the Federal Government and President Tinubu represent what it described as a bastion of corruption.

The firm further alleged that Tinubu appointed as Nigeria’s budget minister an individual whom the US Department of Justice had accused of embezzling billions of dollars from Nigeria’s treasury under a previous administration.

In its post, the firm said:

“The US cannot afford to allow President Tinubu to rig the upcoming Nigerian election.

“This level of lawlessness in the Nigerian government puts Nigeria on a path similar to those seen in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

“Free and fair elections in Nigeria are essential to protecting US interests in Nigeria and the broader region,” the firm tweeted.

The latest comments come amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political actors intensifying their preparations for the poll.

Von Batten-Montague-York has previously made several claims about the Tinubu administration and Nigeria’s electoral process. Public filings with the US Department of Justice show that the firm entered into a government-affairs and strategic-advisory agreement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in February 2026.

The firm’s latest statement represents its own position and should not be taken as an official statement from the United States government.

The allegations concerning the proposed conduct of the 2027 election and the claims about corruption were not independently established in the statement.

The 2027 general elections are expected to be a major political contest, with President Tinubu and opposition figures preparing for the race.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP attack on Wumbi community in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State has left a vigilante commander and four civilians dead.

The Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

Daso said a vigilante leader and four other people were killed during the attack, adding that further details would be made available when they become known.

Sources said the incident occurred on Monday, September 21, but news of the attack was delayed because telecommunications services were unavailable in the area.

According to one of the sources, the terrorists arrived in large numbers and were armed with rifles, improvised explosive devices and other weapons.

The attack reportedly forced several farmers to flee the community.

The vigilante commander, according to the source, remained behind but was eventually surrounded and killed by the attackers. The terrorists were also said to have placed an explosive device on his remains before leaving the area.

Members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), other vigilantes and civilians later mobilised to evacuate the remains. However, the explosive device reportedly detonated, killing four more people and injuring several others.

Wumbi is an agrarian community close to the Cameroon border. The community has largely been deserted due to insecurity, while some residents have reportedly moved across the border and return to the area to farm under the protection of CJTF members and vigilantes.

The circumstances of the attack could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, Mustapha Babani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency in the 2027 elections, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and residents of Wumbi.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has embraced Islam in Doha, Qatar, where he currently plays club football.

A video circulating online shows the Nigerian international reciting the Shahadah, the Islamic declaration of faith, marking his reported conversion to Islam.

Troost-Ekong, who has captained Nigeria at international level, has attracted widespread attention from football fans following the development.

By y Sabiu Abdullahi

The Tinubu Must Go (TMG) movement has appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to enter discussions with other opposition figures on the possibility of forming a united platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The appeal was contained in a letter dated September 22, 2026, with the reference number TMG/NAT/2026/001 and addressed to Atiku through the National Chairman of the ADC.

The letter, titled “REQUEST FOR DIALOGUE TOWARDS A UNITED OPPOSITION FRONT FOR THE 2027 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,” said the group seeks discussions among major opposition figures on a possible consensus presidential candidate.

TMG described itself as a citizen-led movement whose members have put aside individual and partisan preferences in pursuit of what it described as a united opposition capable of presenting an alternative to the current administration.

The movement cited insecurity, economic pressures, inflation, poverty and unemployment among the issues it said have strengthened the case for opposition cooperation.

On insecurity, the group referred to figures from SBM Intelligence’s report, “The Capture of the Kidnap Economy”, which covers the period from July 2025 to June 2026. According to the letter, the report recorded 7,825 abducted persons and 1,142 deaths across 1,411 recorded kidnapping incidents out of 1,713 total kidnapping-related events.

The letter also stated that Northern Nigeria accounted for 93.7 per cent of reported abductions and 96 per cent of civilian fatalities in the period covered by the report, while Southern Nigeria accounted for 6.3 per cent of abducted victims.

On the economy, TMG said high inflation and food prices had reduced household purchasing power and placed essential commodities beyond the reach of many families.

The movement also cited rising energy costs, electricity and fuel tariffs, grid failures, poverty and youth unemployment as issues it said required urgent attention.

TMG said its immediate request was for opposition leaders to meet, engage in good faith and consider possible compromises that could produce a single consensus presidential candidate.

“We do not presume to dictate who should lead, who should concede, or what specific power-sharing arrangement should emerge,” the letter stated.

It added that such matters should be resolved through direct discussions among the opposition leaders.

“Our guiding principle is clear: the broader national interest must be given room to prevail before individual political ambitions become irreconcilable.”

The movement said it plans to hold an internal consultation among its supporters on Thursday, September 24, 2026, to assess their current preferences in the event that the organisation eventually decides to consolidate its grassroots structure behind a single platform.

However, TMG stressed that any internal consultation would remain secondary to whatever voluntary consensus the opposition candidates themselves might reach.

“Every major opposition figure, along with their respective political structures and supporters, remains indispensable to this national rescue project before, during, and after the election,” the letter said.

“Our mission is coalition-building, not exclusion.”

The group further told Atiku that it recognised his presidential ambition as part of a broader desire to serve Nigerians and change the country’s direction.

It argued that opposition cooperation could provide a means for the various political figures to work together, while also allowing their respective political structures and supporters to retain a role in the wider political process.

TMG urged whoever eventually emerges as the consensus candidate to maintain cooperation with other opposition leaders and their supporters.

It also called for an administration that would draw on the capabilities of the various partners if the coalition receives the mandate of Nigerian voters.

The movement specifically asked Atiku to open high-level discussions with other leading opposition candidates in order to identify areas of common ground.

“Political dynamics evolve rapidly as elections approach; consequently, the door to dialogue, compromise, and strategic alliance must remain open to the very end.”

TMG also requested an opportunity for a delegation from the movement to meet Atiku in person to formally present its appeal and discuss practical steps towards further dialogue.

The letter was signed by Abba Hikima, Esq., for Tinubu Must Go (TMG).

In a separate statement contained at the end of the letter, TMG said any formal response from Atiku or his political party could be communicated through verified social media accounts.

The statement reads:

“In the interest of complete transparency and to engage the millions of young, digital-first Nigerians following this initiative, any formal reply or statement regarding this appeal may simply be posted directly on the verified social medial handle (X, Facebook, Instagram) of Your Excellency or your political party under the hashtag #TMG. Any such post shall be deemed as having officially reached us and served upon the TMG leadership and nationwide community”.

By Muhammad Abubakar

An international coalition of Catholic clergy known as Priests Against Genocide marched through the streets of Rome on Tuesday, calling on leaders of the Catholic Church to take a stronger stance against Israel’s war in Gaza.

The demonstrators urged Church authorities to speak more forcefully about the humanitarian crisis and suffering of civilians in Gaza. The march brought together Catholic priests from different countries who sought to draw greater attention to the conflict and its impact on the civilian population.

The protest comes amid continued international debate over the war in Gaza and calls for greater protection of civilians and humanitarian access.

CNN correspondent Christopher Lamb reported from Rome on the demonstration and the clergy’s demands for stronger action from Catholic Church leaders.