Mon. May 25th, 2026

Aso.Rocks

Rock Na So

BAT 2023

Mikel, Moses Make Five-Man BBC Award Shortlist

Byadmin

Nov 11, 2013
Spread the love

Nigeria and Chelsea FC of England footballers, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses (albeit on a brief loan deal at Liverpool) have been named in the five-man shortlist for the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

Also listed for the award, which was revealed on the BBC’s Newsday programme, are current African Footballer of the Year award holder Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso’s Jonathan Pitroipa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon.

The list was drawn up by 44 journalists across Africa and the winner, to be determined by a vote by African football fans until 18:00 GMT on 25th November 2013, will be announced on Monday, 2nd December 2013 at 17:35 GMT on the BBC’s Focus on Africa radio and television programmes.

While Obi and Moses shone in the Chelsea team that won the Europa League last season as well as the Nigerian team that won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in February, 24-year-old Aubameyang finished the 2012-13 season with 19 goals for St-Etienne and the second highest goal scorer in France only behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic. These goals helped the club win the French Cup, and they have also been flowing at his new Bundesliga club, Borrusia Dortmund, where he has scored seven goals in 11 games.

Twenty-seven-year-old Pitroipa was named AFCON player of the tournament as Burkina Faso reached the final, while Toure is an ever-present rock in the midfields of both the Ivoirian national team and dethroned English Premier League winners Manchester City.

By admin

Related Post

BAT 2023

Part 1 Prince Dapo Abiodun: The BAT Kingdom – Bola Tinubu’s Top Ten Smartest Loyalists in Power With Him – Let’s Begin With Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor

Apr 14, 2026 admin
BAT 2023

Was Nigeria’s Presidential State Visit About Protection From Trump? A Three-Part Investigative Feature on Diplomacy, Power, and Narrative

Apr 8, 2026 admin
BAT 2023

Nigeria – Shadows of Power: Ogboni Bohemian Grove, Skull and Bones, and the Global Web of Secret Societies

Mar 18, 2026 admin

You missed

1960 Headlines

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.

May 25, 2026
1960 Headlines

Google Youtube : The Biggest Fakenews Clickbaiter on Earth An Investigative Report on YouTube’s Hyper-Hyped, Often Fake Video Titles and the Platform’s Role in Fueling Misleading Content by Dotifi.com

May 25, 2026
1960 Headlines

Chappele vs Goodwin: Online “Porn” Comedy Effects : Top 10 Black Comedians Who Swear by It and Top 10 Who Make you Laugh Without Swearing !

May 25, 2026
obs

ADC clears Atiku, Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen for presidential primary

May 24, 2026