Mon. May 25th, 2026
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The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday approved the appointment of retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Christian Akioja Olakpe as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). He said the move was made with a view to revamping the agency for improved performance and better relations with the public.

The governor had recently had a dropping popularity among residents of the state as a result of increase in gridlocks around the state leading to robbery attacks on motorists.

The situation got so bad that the State House of Assembly summoned the management of the agency.

The appointment of Olakpe, according to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Habib Aruna, is in strong response to the consistent complaints by the public on the situation of traffic on the streets of Lagos.

Olakpe’s wealth of experience was said to have situated him for the new appointment.

It would be recalled that Ambode had approved the appointment of a new General Manager for the Authority, but the decision to appoint a seasoned former AIG as the CEO of LASTMA was further said to have been necessitated by the fact that the impetus expected with the previous appointment was not fully actualized due to the docile nature of the headship of the Authority.

Olakpe is a graduate of Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.   

Retired AIG Olakpe joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1982 and traversed various commands including Bayelsa and Plateau where he served as Commissioner of Police.

He was also the Deputy Commandant of the Police Academy, Kano and Commissioner of Police of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, Lagos.

A Member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians (IABT) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (ICAP), Olakpe rose to become Assistant Inspector General of Police before his retirement in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Governor has also approved the appointment of Mr. Taofik Adeyemi Fashola, Mr. Tunde Tairu Ogunleye and Mr. Fola Padonu as Permanent Secretaries in the State Public Service while redeploying seven.

According to the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, Ambode said the appointment was in line with the ongoing restructuring of the State Public Service for optimal, effective and efficient service delivery.

Taofik Fashola who until his appointment was Director, Admin and HR, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is now the Permanent Secretary Audit Service Commission.

Tunde Ogunleye who was Director of Accounts in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is now the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, while Mr. Fola Padonu who was a Director, Planning in the

Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has been appointed as the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.

Those redeployed include Arch Folusho Adebayo Dipe, from Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to Ministry of Housing; Mrs. Folashade Oluwatosin Ogunnaike, from Cabinet Office to Ministry of Establishment and Training; Mrs Omobolanle Modinat Ogunmola, from Ministry of Establishment to Civil Service Pensions Office.

Others include Mr. James Olusola Odupitan, from Audit Service Commission to Cabinet Office; Mrs. Boladele Aderemi Dapo-Thomas, from Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and Mrs. Olanike Elizabeth Oduwole, from Ministry of Wealth Creation to Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

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The appointments according to the statement, takes effect immediately.

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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.