Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Lagos: The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying and political inducements as the country approached the 2027 General Elections.

Dr Eugene Nweke, NNPP Head of Communication and Strategy, made this known in an Easter message in Lagos on Saturday.

Nweke said the message is a wake-up call to all Nigerians—leaders and citizens —as the nation gradually approached the 2027 general elections.

The party official noted that the culture of immediate gratification in leadership and followership had significantly undermined the nation’s political and national development.

He said Nigerians should hold leaders accountable for past and present performances, rise above ethnic, religious, and sectional sentiments and demand issue-based campaigns and policy-driven debates.

“Every vote cast must reflect a commitment to the future—not a compromise for temporary gains. Norway chose discipline over indulgence, foresight over immediacy, and legacy over convenience, Nigeria now stands at a similar crossroads.

“As we approach 2027, this must not be just another electoral cycle—it must be a turning point in our national journey. NNPP calls on all Nigerians to rise at this moment with courage, clarity, and conviction.

“The future of our nation depends on it , hard work and respect for rule of law. There is hope for a greater Nigeria of our dreams. Yes we can, God help us.”

Nweke said Nigeria must urgently recalibrate its governance and economic management systems by strengthening sovereign wealth and savings mechanisms.

He said this could be done by institutionalising fiscal discipline across all levels of government, promoting economic diversification beyond oil, and investing strategically in human capital development.

The party official said government at all levels should also enhance transparency and accountability in public finance, saying that these were not optional reforms but existential imperatives.

Nweke said in1969, Norway discovered vast oil reserves in the North Sea—an event that could have triggered reckless spending and economic distortion, “instead, Norway chose the path of discipline.”

He said through deliberate legislative action in 1990, Norway established a sovereign wealth framework that ensured total savings of oil revenues into a national fund and a long-term global investments for future generations.

According to him, today, the fund has grown into one of the largest sovereign wealth assets in the world—transforming a finite natural resource into a sustainable economic legacy.

“Nigeria is equally endowed with vast oil resources. Over the decades, our oil wealth has not translated into enduring prosperity due to persistent fiscal indiscipline and weak public financial management.”

Nweke said this contrast was neither accidental nor inevitable but the direct consequence of choices made and opportunities missed.

He, therefore, urged Nigerian leaders to transit from consumption of national wealth to creation and preservation of national value.

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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.