Tue. May 26th, 2026
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Recent reports indicate that Governor 

Monday Okpebholo

 of Edo State has joined residents in protesting against persistent power outages, highlighting severe electricity supply failures caused by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

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Here are the key details regarding the situation as of early March 2026:
  • Governor Joins Protest: Governor Okpebholo took to the streets to protest alongside residents, expressing frustration over the prolonged blackout in Edo State.
  • Blame on BEDC & Ownership: The Governor stated that the Edo State government has limited control over the BEDC and alleged that Fidelity Bank, with which he linked Peter Obi, holds a major stake in the company, placing responsibility for the poor supply on them.
  • Action Taken: Amidst the outcry, Governor Okpebholo promised to find a solution, including potential steps to break the monopoly in power distribution in the state.
  • Context: These power issues are part of a broader, nationwide drop in electricity generation due to gas shortages.
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This information is based on reports from March 2, 2026, to March 4, 2026.
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Yesterday our Governor joined protesters to lament the intractable electricity crisis in the State . You think that is weird? Wait until you hear that Peter Obi was blamed by the Governor for the electricity crisis in Edo State.
How did Obi, who narrowly escape been shot in Benin days back, is responsible for darkness in Edo?
Well, according to my detective Governor, Fidelity Bank has a stake in BEDC, and who owns Fidelity Bank? He asked his supporters. He went further to attempt to mock Obi by saying Obi will claim he doesn’t have anything but e get bank and disco 😁😁
Let me believe that my Governor was just deflecting. That is even low but it is better than having a Governor who believes that one person can own a bank and then use that ownership to disrupt another business it has interest. Haba na!
Okpebholo believes Obi is the real danger to his Phantom 3.5M votes for Tinubu hence this obsession.
For those not in Edo the BEDC problems predate Okpebholo. It is this same government that disconnected Edo from Ossimo plant and reverted to BEDC. Now he is blaming Obi.
When I complained about the type of characters around our Governor, some believe I complain a lot or I am elitist. It is not true.
A Governor is an institution of authority and whoever is the governor at any time, must step in with authority, charisma and responsibility.
My Governor’s reasoning on this recent issue is not different from those characters around him like NoMindDem, Egogo etc
As an Edo man, this is deeply concerning.
Dear Owanlen abeg sir, when you misyarn, your citizen like me dey hear am hot from my friends. Help us

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.