General
Nigeria Gets First Ever Emmy Nod with ‘Sweet, Sweet Codeine’
By Adedapo Adesanya
Award-winning Nigerian investigative journalist, Ruona J. Meyer’s documentary, which investigated Nigeria’s struggle with codeine addiction titled ‘Sweet, Sweet Codeine’, has been nominated for an international Emmy – marking the country’s first ever nomination for the prestigious award.
The programme, which explores the horrors of an opioid endemic and exposes the corrupt agents responsible, has led to Nigeria imposing a total ban on the production and importation of codeine cough syrup.
The documentary titled ‘Sweet Sweet Codeine’, was produced by the BBC World Series under their BBC Africa Eye division and also marks its first ever nomination for the award since its formation in 1932.
Ruona Meyer, the Nigerian reporter behind the programme, is studying for a PhD in Media Discourse and African Investigative Journalism at De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester, England said that she pitched the idea to the BBC after witnessing the devastating effects that codeine syrup addiction can have first-hand.
She said: “It was personal for me; and I thought – if someone else’s brother is going to watch this and it helps that one person it would be enough for me but the fact that we destroyed those cartels, I still don’t even believe it.”
Ruona’s own brother battled with codeine syrup addiction following the assassination of their father, Godwin Agbroko, who was an investigative journalist in Nigeria.
Ruona said: “It was always in the back of my mind that my father was killed for doing something like this – for what he wrote about Nigeria.”
Working with Nigerian BBC reporter Adejuwon Soyinka, the report features raids by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), undercover drug deals with corrupt pharmaceutical executives and harrowing footage of rehabilitation centres for addicts.
Ruona said: “It was emotionally and mentally upsetting; you had to watch people just like you struggling with addiction and come to terms with the fact that this could easily be you next week.”
After the release of the documentary, Nigeria’s upper house of parliament voted in favour of a total ban on the drug saying that the cough syrup trade profited the insurgency of Islamist extremist group Boko Haram in the country’s northeast.
Since this decision, Nigeria has recalled more than 2.4 million bottles of cough syrup containing codeine to also tackle products already present within the country.
The documentary was so impactful that it prompted a swift response from people across the country, including Nigeria’s first lady, Aisha Buhari, who said in an Instagram post that she was ‘deeply saddened’ by the rise of the problem, especially in Northern Nigeria.
“I call on all security agencies, lawmakers, judiciary, drug manufacturers, civil society, regulators, teachers, parents, neighbours and you to take this as a personal war and halt the menace,” she added.
The BBC Africa Eye documentary features alongside nominees from Brazil, Sweden, Qatar, Russia and the UK in the race for a News or Current Affairs International Emmy; with the winners receiving their awards in New York on Tuesday September 24.
To see the list of all nominations for the Emmy visit: https://www.iemmys.tv/2019-international-emmy-awards-nominees-for-news-current-affairs-announced/
General
Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today
By Blaise Udunze
Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.
The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.
Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.
Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.
The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.
Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.
Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.
Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.
General
Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.
This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.
The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.
This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.
A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.
Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.
It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.
Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
General
Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
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