Mon. May 25th, 2026
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The Ministry of Livestock Development says it plans to empower 1,000 youths on different values of the sector in every state of the country.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, said this at the closing of a four-day Hack4Livestock Hackaton competition in Abuja.

The programme was organised by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, in conjunction with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and Ministry of Livestock Development.

Maiha, represented by Eustace Iyayi, his Special Assistant, said that the initiative was aimed at leveraging digital platforms to drive growth and development in the sector, with a focus on involving women and promoting diversity.

He said that digital skills would play a critical role in driving growth and development in the livestock sector.

He said that the ministry had developed the Nigerian Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy package aimed at driving growth and development in the sector.

“Currently we plan to capacitate 1,000 youths per state in different values in the livestock sector.

Currently we plan to capacitate 1,000 youths per state in different values in the livestock sector.

“We are aware that this digital project is going to be very helpful in doing that. We live in a world where we can just dive and we get to anywhere we want to get to.

“We are looking at women also getting involved in livestock activities and we also believe that projects like this are going to be very helpful,” Maiha said.

Prof Idris Bugaje, Executive-Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (MBTE) said that each project reflected the transformative potential of technology to address real-world challenges in the livestock sector and beyond.

Alhaji Idi Maiha

Bugaje, represented by Aliyu Imafidor, General Manager of the MBTE Centre of Excellence for TVET, said that Artificial Intelligence, as a driver of digital transformation, was rapidly reshaping sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare and more.

He commended participants for exhibiting innovation, dedication and problem-solving mindset during the programme.

Your success is a testament to your resilience, ingenuity and commitment to excellence.

“May your journey serve as an inspiration to others in the pursuit of innovation for national development,” Bugaje said.

Mr Gbenga Sesan, a representative of the Agro Alliance, the winners of the Hack4lifestock 2025 edition, spoke on the group’s solution that aim to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria.

He said that apart from having the potential to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria, it would reduce economic losses, loss of lives, and displacement of people.

Sesan said that Agro Alliance was a real-time solution, an IoT-based system used to detect cattle intrusions, trigger deterrents, and alert farmers via SMS, notifications, and calls, enhancing farm security and reducing conflicts.

He said that the system, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), detects cattle intrusions in farms and sends instant notifications to farmers through the Internet of Things (IoT).

“This is remote monitoring, and also sends information like images and live feed of the events happening in the farm.

The system also initiates an irritating alarm to scare away the cattle before they gain entrance to the farm,” he said.

He said that the team planned to penetrate the market and collaborate with security agencies to mitigate conflicts between farmers and herders.

“We are open to collaboration and partnerships to further develop their solution,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the top three Hack4Livestock Hackathon winners received N10 million.

Livestocx who emerged third position with a sum of N2 million, JVincent emerged second position with a sum of N3 million and Agro Alliance emerged first position with a sum of N5 million accordingly.

Stakeholders from the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), were in attendance.

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By 9jabook

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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.