Tue. May 26th, 2026
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At the unveiling of the running mate of the APC presidential candidate, they keep happing on one national project that their team represents. And I ask, what is the content of that national project?

 

If ever there is such thing as a national project, when and who put the project together. When was it debated and agreed upon for it to be a national project?

 

A document that should be taken as a national project, shouldn’t the various interest groups and parties that forms the federation be taken into consideration and have a say in it’s formulation?

 

Questions upon questions begging for answers. In any case, how can that be able to solve the fragile peace of the nation with the shenanigans, deliberate falsehood perpetuated and exhibited so far by the persons who are promoting it?

 

Again, I heard them saying they are reinventing the 1993 episode which again is a fallacy because, that ticket was not tested to know whether it was a workable ticket or not. As such, we cannot say or see it as a referendum wherefore, once you refer to it, we should be certain of your good intentions.

 

Concerning the 1993 ticket, we’re only presuming that it may have worked judging from the antecedent of the man that was the head of that ticket. 

 

There is no way we can say for sure that, that ticket would have become an el-dorado for the nation, Nigeria. To glibly cite and reference it to justify the insensitive decision particularly in the current hyper- distrust existing between the various interest groups in the nation is only belittling the challenge we have to overcome to attain national integration and cohesion

 

Many of the supporters of APC ticket keeps referring to Lagos as the reason they believe the candidate can fix Nigeria and his wife, a Christian as reason we should not be afraid of the same faith ticket. May be, we should take a look at representation in governance religion wise

 

We can do that by taking a look at the civil service composition in Lagos state. Lets look at the representation in the ministries, MDAs, Agencies, LCDAs, etc. 

 

Please, can someone do an audit of the workforce in order to find out how fair and balance appointments are in this regard from 1999 to date, which was when “Lagos suddenly came into existence” as the state is seen by some these days? Oh sorry, may be “there are no competent Christians” in Lagos state as well.

 

What about the overbearing disposition of the head of the ticket where you cannot get any position without his permission and approval? Is it that attitude that he wants to take to the centre?

 

What about his running mate? There was a leaked audio said to be a conversation between him and Amosun immediately it made known that he will be the running mate. It has been nearly 2 weeks since then. Until now, there is no rebuttal to it. So, we can take it that he actually had that conversation. 

 

In that discussion, he was heard expressing and counselling that his region should join forces with the South West in order to sideline as well as enact discriminatory policies against the East. Is that the can of person that can be trusted to pursue a national project?

 

As an aside. The language being used even by the head of the ticket connotes desperation. Seeing the election as a must-win means, all methods, both legal and illegal, moral and immoral can be used to ensure that the must-win come to pass. This statement is akin to the “do or die” used for 2003 elections; and we saw how rigged that it election was 

 

And talking about morality, in one of the interviews the other day, he was asked what he has to say concerning allegations leveled against him as a fraudster. His response was whether those making the allegations can prove it. I don’t think that is good enough answer to that question

 

There seems to be so many areas of his life that seemed to be shrouded in mystery or a lie. One of them is his origin. More than ever, he needs to come straight with the public now: especially as the genealogy of the family to which he lay claim has come with a publication that excluded him as one of members of that family.

 

For as long as he can’t come clean with the public, there is no assurance that he can be trusted to implement a national project, if ever there is one.

 

By Okweh Ogah

By admin

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.