Author: TheScrutinyNG

At least 69 people, including 25 Malians, have died after a boat bound for Spain from West Africa capsized off Morocco, Mali’s authorities confirmed yesterday. The “makeshift boat” was carrying about 80 people, but only 11 people survived, said a statement from the Ministry of Malians Abroad. At least nine of the survivors are from Mali. The boat capsized last week, but the ministry confirmed the incident on Thursday. A crisis unit has been dispatched to monitor the situation, it said. Mali has suffered years of jihadist and separatist violence – resulting in military coups in 2020 and 2021. The…

Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has pledged to ensure a credible, peaceful election of his successor on January 20, 2025. He made the pledge when he inaugurated screening and electoral committees for the poll. The chairman of the electoral committee is Chief Ejiofor Onyia, while Okpani Nkama Jr is the electoral committee secretary. Also, Dr. Eme Okoro was inaugurated as chairman of the screening committee with Prof. Fabian Onah as secretary. Chukwu, who is completing the tenure of Imo State, will vacate the office as the leader of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation on January 10,…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has been urged to intervene and ensure that several factories sealed by the State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) over unresolved water abstraction fees were reopened. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) made the appeal in a letter by the association’s Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, wherein it criticized LASWARCO’s recent actions, calling them “ill-timed and quite unfortunate.” Ajayi-Kadir noted that the closures occurred despite on-going negotiations and previous agreements aimed at resolving the matter. “MAN is appalled by the inauspicious act of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) in sealing factories over their purported…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given reasons he masterminded the removal of Uche Secondus as the national chairman of the PDP. This is as has also fired back at some of his critics in Rivers State who claimed he has not attracted any projects to Rivers State as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Speaking at the Ahoada East and Ahoada West PDP End of Year thanksgiving held in Ochigna town in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, the former Governor of Rivers State declared that the state has the highest number of…

The Defence Headquarters has insisted that air strikes from the troops weren’t responsible for the death of about ten villagers in Sokoto but explosives of the emerging terrorist group, Lakurawa. Recall that after the Christmas day strikes on Lakurawa terrorists dens at Gidan Bisa and Gidan Runtuwa in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State, about ten villagers were left dead but the Defence Headquarters, on Friday, attributed the deaths to the explosion that was triggered by the destruction of Lakurawa terrorists’ base and not by direct airstrikes conducted by the Nigerian Air Force. Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen.…

Abdulwahab Umar Namadi, first son of Jigawa State governor, Malam Umar Namadi, is dead. He died after a fatal accident just a day after the death of his grandmother. Hajia Maryam Namadi, the mother of Jigawa State governor, died on Wednesday, after a brief illness at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and was buried same day.

By Dr Olukayode Ajulo, OON, SAN Exploring the Need for Comprehensive Legislation Surrogacy has emerged as a significant reproductive option globally, yet it remains largely unregulated in Nigeria. This article examines the current legal framework surrounding surrogacy in Nigeria, contrasting it with other jurisdictions, and highlights the pressing need for a comprehensive legal structure to protect the rights of all parties involved. Understanding Surrogacy in Nigeria Surrogacy is a complex issue that intersects family law, reproductive rights, and ethical considerations. In Nigeria, the lack of specific laws governing surrogacy creates a legal void, resulting in challenges for…

Syria’s newly-formed rebel-led government has reported the death of 14 interior ministry troops in what it described as an “ambush” by supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The attack occurred near the Mediterranean Port of Tartous, a traditional stronghold of Assad’s Alawite Muslim sect. Ten other soldiers were reportedly injured in the clashes on Tuesday. The troops were allegedly ambushed during an operation to arrest a former officer linked to abuses at the notorious Saydnaya prison, located near Damascus. The facility was infamous for the torture and killing of thousands during Assad’s regime. The United Kingdom based Syrian Observatory for…

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested 20 suspects in connection with the killings in Tingbwa Gidan Ado community of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau. Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Commander of OPSH, disclosed this at the Christmas luncheon organised for troops of OPSH and 3 Division of the Nigerian Army on Thursday in Jos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen on Dec. 22 attacked the community and killed 15 persons. Abdulsalam, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, said its troops had also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. “Following…

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, has vowed to cut the votes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, aiming to reduce the party’s support to just 15,000 votes in the state. Kwankwaso made this pledge during a meeting with former councillors and senior special advisers who served under his previous administration, alongside stakeholders from Tsanyawa Local Government Area, at his residence in Kano. Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Kwankwaso credited the hard work of his team for achieving remarkable results. Despite the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) being a relatively new political force…