Lionel Messi has disclosed that his father was eager for him to attend the 2026 Princesa de Asturias Award for Sport ceremony, despite the difficulties posed by his demanding football schedule.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that the Princesa de Asturias Awards honour outstanding achievements across various fields, including sports, arts, science and international cooperation.

The former Argentina captain revealed that his father was particularly excited about the recognition and strongly encouraged him to travel for the ceremony.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who shared the remarks on X on Friday, Messi spoke about his father’s reaction while explaining the significance of receiving the prestigious award.

“My father was extremely excited about this award.

“We knew it would be difficult because of my match schedule, but he really insisted that we come, that I travel here to spend these days and receive the award,” Messi said.

The Inter Miami forward explained that the honour represented more than his achievements on the football pitch or the milestones he had reached throughout his career.

“This award goes beyond what you do on the pitch or what I’ve achieved throughout my career,” he stated.

Messi added that his father was delighted by the recognition and expressed confidence that he was also enjoying the special moment.

“Honestly, he was very happy about this recognition and that’s why I’m sure he’s enjoying it too,” he said.

The award adds to Messi’s impressive collection of honours following a remarkable career at both club and international levels.

The Argentine football icon has won multiple Ballon d’Or titles and captained his country to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

He also enjoyed tremendous success during his time at Barcelona before moving on to other clubs, including his current team, Inter Miami.

Security operatives have been deployed across Kaduna metropolis ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled visit on Saturday, October 24, 2026, for the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Daily Post, police officers, plain-clothes operatives and other security personnel were sighted at major roads and roundabouts across the city, while patrol vehicles were stationed around the Kaduna Township Stadium, the venue of the campaign rally.

reports that personnel of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have also been deployed to safeguard campaign posters and other materials, particularly at night when they are more susceptible to vandalism.

Posters of Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, have been displayed at strategic locations across the metropolis. Some of the campaign materials carry the inscription, “Welcome to Kaduna State.”

Preparations were also underway at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Friday ahead of the President’s arrival. The 8,000-capacity facility had been repainted and decorated with APC flags in readiness for the event.

Roads leading to the stadium were adorned with campaign posters and billboards, while the pavilions, toilets and other facilities were being prepared to accommodate guests. Access to the stadium premises has also been restricted ahead of the rally.

Tinubu is expected to be joined by governors from the seven North-West states at the event, which is anticipated to attract APC supporters and political stakeholders from different parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the campaign flag-off and Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations.

Balarabe said the committee was expecting a large turnout of party members and supporters from across Nigeria. She added that the North-West remained a stronghold of the APC.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for closer cooperation with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to guarantee safe, accessible and inclusive participation for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the 2027 General Elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that INEC Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, made the call on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols at the Abuja Inter-Continental Hotel.

The meeting, themed “Securing the Vote for All: Advancing Inclusive, Safe and Rights-Based Electoral Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” brought together representatives of the police, other security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and other stakeholders.

The engagement focused on strengthening measures to protect vulnerable voters and ensure their safety throughout the electoral process.

Amupitan stressed that credible elections depend not only on the voting process but also on ensuring that every eligible citizen can participate freely, safely and without discrimination.

He warned that persons with disabilities must be protected from intimidation, harassment, insecurity and other obstacles that could prevent them from exercising their voting rights.

The INEC chairman highlighted the constitutional and legal provisions supporting inclusive elections, including the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended; the Electoral Act 2026; the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018; and Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

He also cited INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026, particularly Clauses 19, 21, 27 and 28, which provide for priority access, appropriate assistance and assistive voting materials for voters with disabilities.

On election security, Amupitan emphasised the responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, prevent electoral violence and provide a secure environment for elections.

He urged security personnel to conduct themselves professionally and impartially while demonstrating sensitivity to the needs of people with different disabilities.

According to him, any assistance provided to voters with disabilities must respect their dignity, independence, privacy and freedom of choice.

The INEC chairman further called for disability inclusion to be incorporated into security planning, personnel training, deployment strategies and incident-response procedures well before Election Day.

He said security assessments should identify inaccessible polling units, overcrowding, potential flashpoints and communication barriers that could affect voters with disabilities.

Amupitan also stressed the importance of effective coordination among INEC, the police and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said collaboration was necessary to improve information-sharing, clarify institutional responsibilities and ensure prompt responses to emerging threats.

Outlining key priorities ahead of the 2027 elections, the INEC chairman called for clear disability-inclusive election security protocols, specialised training for police personnel on disability rights and accessible communication, stronger inter-agency cooperation, accessible channels for reporting incidents and sustained engagement with organisations representing persons with disabilities.

He maintained that electoral protection must extend beyond Election Day to cover voter registration, political campaigns, rallies, voting, collation of results and the post-election period.

The chairman urged participants to translate the discussions into practical and measurable outcomes, including clearly defined operational procedures, designated institutional contact points, appropriate training programmes, joint security assessments and effective monitoring mechanisms.

Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to working with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, TAF Africa, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen inclusive electoral administration and security.

He also acknowledged the contributions of TAF Africa and the European Union towards promoting the democratic participation of persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

The INEC chairman concluded that electoral inclusion was a democratic necessity rather than an act of charity, insisting that every eligible Nigerian must have a meaningful opportunity to vote without discrimination, insecurity or avoidable institutional barriers.