The House of Representatives, on Thursday, approved a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission for the monitoring and supervision of surrogacy arrangements in Nigeria.

The bill aims to “provide for the registration, regulation, and monitoring of surrogacy agencies in Nigeria and related matters.”

Leading the debate on the general principles of the proposed legislation, the sponsor of the bill, Ayodeji Alao-Akala, stated that the bill seeks to regulate and evaluate surrogacy in Nigeria to ensure that medical and health laws are not violated.

He added that it will also protect those seeking to overcome infertility.

Alao-Akala highlighted that a black market has emerged within the system, which takes advantage of the needs of expectant parents and exploits them.

He further stated that surrogate mothers and the children to be born also require legal protection.

Following its adoption, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, referred the motion to the House Committee on Healthcare Services for further legislative action.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, caused stirs on Thursday after he referred to Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano during an event in Abuja.

Naija News recalls that both Bayero and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Muhammadu Sanusi, had battled for the Kano Emirship position some months ago.

Back in March 2020, former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje removed Sanusi from the throne and appointed Bayero as Emir.

However, four years later, Ganduje’s successor, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, dismissed Bayero and reinstated Sanusi.

Bayero, whose removal was announced while he was outside the state, returned to Kano and took residence in the mini palace at Nasarawa, where he has been conducting his court.

Subsequently, Governor Yusuf ordered the immediate arrest of the monarch.

However, rather than complying, security measures were intensified at the mini palace, leading to speculation that Bayero had support from federal authorities.

Reacting to the development, Aminu Gwarzo, the Deputy Governor of Kano, claimed that Ribadu played a role in Bayero’s return by providing him with two private jets.

Ribadu denied these allegations and threatened legal action against Gwarzo.

In a letter from Aliyu & Musa Chambers, Ribadu’s legal representatives, an apology was demanded from the deputy governor, who subsequently retracted his statement.

The dispute over the emirate eventually transitioned to the judicial system, with both parties filing separate lawsuits against each other.

Emir of Kano

Today, during the 1st Annual International Lecture organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, themed “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024),” Ribadu acknowledged Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano.

While recognizing the dignitaries present, Ribadu stated, “Of course the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero,” which was met with applause from the audience.

Naija News reports that the video clip has stirred a barrage of reactions on social media.

See the video clip below as shared on X by a netizen [rabiuuba4].

Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, the controversial Onitsha-based cleric better known asOdumeje, has opened up about his past lifestyle.

In an undated video now making the round on social media, Odumeje revealed that he grew up in a dangerous street in Onitsha, Anambra state.

Addressing his congregation, the controversial cleric said he became involved in armed robbery and terrorism at the age of 14.

Odumeje added that his life changed through the help of his mother, who led him to Christ and helped him find salvation.

“I was born in Onitsha city. No 3, Nnewi street. And I grew up in a dangerous street. I became an armed robber at the age of 14,” he said.

“I became a terrorist until Jesus Christ arrest me through the help of my mother to change my life… a destroyer become a saviour.”

Odumeje has always been in the news for controversial reasons. The cleric rode to fame on the back of what many described as his “unorthodox practices”.

In March, Ohanaemere issued a stern warning to critics accusing him of using fake powers.

“Do not criticise the miracles that Jesus is using me to do because you want to get attention from people. You can never go free,” he said.

He also advised those who disagree with his teachings to stop spreading falsehoods about him.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Binta Ayo Mogaji, has advised women above the age of 35 to get pregnant outside wedlock.

Naija News reports that the 60-year-old movie star, in a recent interview with Oyinmomo TV, shared her thoughts on marriage, motherhood, and societal pressures.

Mogaji encouraged unmarried women over 35 to consider having children outside of wedlock if they desire motherhood.

The thespian, who welcomed her first child at 40, emphasized that women should prioritize motherhood over societal expectations and consider adoption if they cannot find a partner.

According to Mogaji, ladies above 35 often face marriage challenges.

She said, “What I’m saying is, once you’re 35 or older and you don’t have a husband, but there’s someone in your life who is with you but not ready for marriage, and he wants a child, have a child with him, even if he won’t accept responsibility for the child.

“When she is looking for a husband at 35, they’ll say she’s too old and won’t be able to wash clothes for her mother-in-law or be controlled.

“They’ll advise the man to find a younger lady to listen to him. Even if she’s fortunate to marry at that age, she’ll already be old when her child grows up. Some people at 45 or 50 are already grandmothers.

“When your mates are grandmothers, and you’re still saying you’re looking for a husband, when will you find a husband and become a grandmother?

“So, my advice is, if God blesses you with someone who likes you and you can have children together, go ahead and do it.

“If you find someone you like, ask him to impregnate you as long as you want a child and can take care of the child. But if you want a child and cannot find a man to impregnate you, then consider adoption.”

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the last general election, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said Nigerians, especially the northern region, are tired of the current situation in the country.

Naija News reports that Kwankwaso said this while receiving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who decamped to the NNPP in the state.

The former Governor, who received the decamped members of the APC from Dala, Kiru and Gwale local government areas at his Miller Road residence in Kano, stated that the administration of the APC is clearly against the poor masses.

He said the APC, which was created to salvage the hardship of the poor masses, has now turned against them, with insecurity and poverty eating deep into the fabric of Nigeria.

Kwankwaso also said that Nigerians will change the current government in the 2027 election.

He said, “Nigerians, more specifically northerners, have suffered enough and no amount of pressure or intimidation will change their minds.

“Nigerians should rethink over the current dispensation, it has now become clear that the APC-led government is clearly against the poor masses and will never change.

“It is now clear that regardless of their beliefs and plans to use the security agents and INEC in the forthcoming elections, it will not be possible as Nigerians are tired and will surely struggle for change.”

The national leader of the NNPP further described the defection occasion as historic, stating that the number of those joining the NNPP from the wards of Dala, Kiru, Gwale and Dawakintofa local governments shows that the APC structure is wholly crumbled in the affected places.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has stated that he will have an input in determining his successor in 2027.

Naija News reports that Makinde asserted on Thursday, while receiving the report from the Committee on Review and Update of Public Service Rules and Other Regulations in the State Civil/Public Service, held at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

While emphasizing his influence in the 2027 election process, Makinde addressed those currently lobbying for his position and acknowledged that the ultimate decision rests with the electorate.

He highlighted the importance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, noting that party dynamics will play a crucial role in shaping the final decision.

He added, “I may not have the final say in who takes over, but I will definitely have my input.

“As the current leader of the party in Oyo State, I will be involved in discussions and deliberations that will guide our choice.”

Speaking on the Committee report on the Review and Update of Public Service Rules and Other Regulations in the State Civil/Public Service presented to him, Makinde expressed his commitment to leaving a transformative legacy for the state’s civil service by transitioning from manual processes to digital systems to eliminate unnecessary delays within the workforce.

According to him, many of the Public Service Rules are obsolete, and there is a need to review the rules to world standard practice that would transform the State Civil and Public Service.

Makinde, while commending the committee, revealed that their efforts not only validated his position of leaving a desirable legacy in the state but would improve and better the service conditions for the state workers.

He assured the committee that he would constitute a technical committee that would work on implementing and operationalizing their recommendations.

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu for embarking on a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom amidst Nigeria’s ongoing economic struggles and insecurity.

Lamido questioned whether Tinubu had any empathy for the plight of Nigerians, who are grappling with widespread hardship.

Recalls that Tinubu departed Nigeria for the UK on Wednesday, with his Special Advisor on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarifying that the trip is part of his regular annual leave.

Onanuga explained that the president would use this time for a working vacation, reflecting on his administration’s economic reforms. He added that Tinubu would return to the country after his two-week leave.

“He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

“He will return to the country after the leave expires,” the statement said.

In response, Lamido took to Facebook, accusing the president of ignoring the suffering of the people.

In a post titled “Deaf, Dumb, Confounded,” Lamido wrote: “President Bola Tinubu traveled abroad to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

“Does President Tinubu have the human empathy, compassion, love, care, and concern to ponder and reflect on Nigerians’ dire situations while in the comfort of Europe?”

Lamido concluded his message with a biblical reference, comparing the situation to the story of Pharaoh and Moses: “Once upon a time, there was Pharaoh, and there was also Moses.”

A Gambian businessman has been reported dead in a tragic car accident near Ziguinchor, in the Casamance region, while his Senegalese mistress and her friend, who were with him at the time, survived.

According to reports from Senegalese media, the man had picked up the two women to drive them to The Gambia for a weekend getaway when the accident occurred on Saturday, September 29, 2024.

Local police and emergency services responded to the scene, where the two women were treated for minor injuries and taken to a nearby hospital.

The man, however, succumbed to severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities believe speeding may have been a factor in the accident.

The deceased's identity has not been disclosed, though he was described as a businessman who divided his time between Guinea-Bissau, Casamance, and The Gambia.

Folashodun Shonubi, a former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has disclosed that the redesigned naira notes released by the apex bank under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele was different from what former President Muhammadu Buhari approved.

Shonubi disclosed this while appearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

The Deputy Governor of Operations informed the court that Emefiele had claimed that there were intrigues and politics involved in the naira redesign exercise.

While responding to questions from Emefiele’s lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Shonubi said the late 2022 naira redesign exercise, ahead of the 2023 general elections, was fraught with politics.

“The currency redesign of 2022 was the only one I was part of. When we had meetings with the defendant (Emefiele), he said there were politics and intrigues around the whole exercise,”Shonubi stated.

He informed the court that the former CBN governor presented a document during one of the CBN’s Committee of Governors’ meetings, which contained the signature of the President.

Shonubi also revealed that the redesigned naira notes produced by the CBN under Emefiele were not the same as what was approved by the President.

“The CBN, under Emefiele, produced something different from what former President Muhammadu Buhari approved,” he said.