Real Madrid winger Yan Diomande has equalled a remarkable Champions League achievement previously recorded by former Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins after scoring a goal and providing an assist in the Spanish club’s 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international became the youngest African player to score and register an assist in the same UEFA Champions League match since Martins accomplished the feat for Inter Milan against Arsenal in September 2003.

Diomande, who is 19 years, 11 months and seven days old, was introduced in the 70th minute against his former club. He subsequently provided an assist for Kylian Mbappe before finding the net himself in the 87th minute to complete Madrid’s emphatic victory.

Martins was 18 years and 10 months old when he scored and assisted in Inter Milan’s 3-0 triumph over Arsenal at Highbury on September 17, 2003.

Diomande joined Real Madrid from Leipzig in August 2026 in a deal reportedly worth €125 million, with an additional €15 million in potential add-ons. The transfer made him the most expensive African footballer in history and Real Madrid’s record signing.

Despite his high-profile arrival, the winger encountered criticism during the early stages of his Madrid career over his decision-making. Former manager Jose Mourinho described the youngster as a player who still had considerable room for development.

“He’s got a lot of room for improvement; he’s young, naive,” Mourinho said following the match against Sevilla at the weekend.

Diomande has since answered his critics with a series of impressive displays, contributing to six goals across his last four appearances for Real Madrid.

The winger also made headlines last weekend when he became the youngest Real Madrid player this century to score and provide an assist in the same La Liga match, breaking the previous record held by Jude Bellingham, who achieved the feat at 20 years and 51 days old.

Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Femi Otubanjo, has stated that President Bola Tinubu is not required to take his re-election campaign to all 36 states of the federation ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Otubanjo made the remarks during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, arguing that there is no legal requirement or established convention compelling the President to organise campaign rallies in every state.

The political scientist explained that Tinubu would participate in campaign activities as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), rather than in his capacity as Nigeria’s President.

According to him, this distinction means the President is not obligated to address every Nigerian during campaign rallies.

Otubanjo said, “The reality, of course, it is not compulsory for the president to campaign in 36 states.

“When the president goes to campaign, he is a candidate of the APC, not the president of Nigeria. So he has no obligation to speak to everybody.”

The NIIA scholar also questioned the effectiveness of political rallies, arguing that many gatherings described as campaign events are primarily designed to energise existing supporters rather than persuade undecided voters.

He maintained that most attendees at such rallies have already made up their minds about the candidates they intend to support, making the events less effective as platforms for winning over new voters.

Drawing a comparison with rallies organised by United States President Donald Trump, Otubanjo argued that Nigerian political gatherings often focus more on noise, self-praise and promises than on convincing voters through substantive arguments.

He said, “If you can take your time and watch a video of a typical Nigerian rally, it’s all noise.

“It’s all about bragging about what they have achieved, or bragging about what they can achieve. It is not about convincing anybody.”

Otubanjo further argued that campaign rallies were neither compulsory for Tinubu nor appropriate platforms for the President to communicate with the entire nation.

He stressed that political campaigns should be understood as activities undertaken by candidates seeking electoral support, rather than official presidential engagements.

“And so, it’s not really compulsory. It’s not a venue. It’s not a platform for the president to address the nation,” he said.

The professor’s comments came days after Tinubu announced plans to limit his physical participation in campaign activities to allow him to concentrate on governance.

The decision has attracted criticism from opposition figures, who have questioned the President’s approach to campaigning ahead of the 2027 general election.

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued four kidnapped victims in separate security operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states as the military intensifies efforts to combat terrorism and kidnapping across Nigeria’s North-West region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that the victims, comprising two men and two women, were rescued on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State and along the Bena-Sawade axis of Kebbi State.

According to the Nigerian Army, troops rescued two victims in Zamfara following a report of a terrorist attack on farmland across a river in Binoni Marafa, Maru LGA.

The rescued victims were identified as Mansur Shehu, 25, and Kadijat Haruna, 49.

In Kebbi State, troops launched a search-and-rescue operation after receiving intelligence that suspected terrorists were moving with kidnapped persons from Dupindu Village in Kanya District, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

The operation resulted in the rescue of two additional victims, identified as Jimoh Su-Arege, 35, and Kalahe Danjuma, 41.

The Army disclosed that the rescued individuals were subsequently handed over to the Seriki of Dipindu.

The military also stated that troops had intensified patrols and surveillance across affected communities to strengthen security and prevent terrorists and other criminal groups from operating unhindered.

According to the Army, the successful operations demonstrate its continued commitment to rescuing abducted persons, disrupting terrorist activities and restoring peace in Zamfara and Kebbi states.

It further reaffirmed its resolve to sustain security operations across the North-West region, protect residents and deny criminal groups access to vulnerable communities.