Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday inaugurated the newly appointed chairmen, Executive Secretaries and members of some boards and commissions of state agencies with a charge on them to leave Lagos better than they met it.

He also urged them to see their appointment as a call to service and give extra-ordinary efforts to move Lagos forward.

Ambode, who recalled that the State Executive Council was inaugurated exactly two weeks ago, said the inauguration of the new appointees, coming just after the Leadership Retreat organised by the State for Commissioners, Special Advisers, Body of Permanent Secretaries and some heads of agencies, were all geared towards avoiding vacuum that could impede timely and smooth policy implementation process.

The Governor said that as public officials, the new appointees must have it at the back of their minds that they shoulder a great burden which calls for high sense of responsibility and sacrifice, and therefore will require extra-ordinary efforts and commitment to the advancement of the State in particular and Nigeria in general.

Recalling that the appointees were selected after a painstaking exercise which took into cognizance their academic and professional qualifications as well as their capacities to give selfless service, Ambode admonished the appointees to deliver and add value to the quality of service in the State.

“To achieve a globally competitive economy that works 24 hours of the day and 7 days of the week requires extra-ordinary efforts and commitment. This is what is required of you.

“I urge you to uphold the spirit of excellence for which our State is known by discharging your responsibilities excellently.

“Nothing short of excellence is acceptable to the people of Lagos State. I urge you to maintain your integrity and always be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law,” Governor Ambode said.

The agencies inaugurated include the Lagos State Health Service Commission; Lagos State Audit Service Commission; Lagos State Local Government Service Commission; Lagos State Judicial Service Commission; Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board; and Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Governor also inaugurated the Chairman and Executive Secretaries of Lagos State Safety Commission; Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission; and the Lagos State Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority respectively.

Dr. Bayo Aderiye was appointed as Chairman of Health Service Commission, while the Audit Service Commission has Alhaji Abiodun Waliu Onibon as its Chairman.

The Universal Basic Education Board has as its Chairman, Dr. Ganiu Sopeyin, while Mr. Babatunde Rotinwa was appointed Chairman of Local Government Service Commission.

Mr. Fouad Oki was appointed Executive Secretary of Lagos State Safety Commission, while Mr. Joe Igbokwe is the new Executive Secretary of Lagos State Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority.

Arch. Ahmed Kabir Abdullahi was also inaugurated as the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Mr. Babatunde Rotinwa, a retired Head of Service, promised to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Governor to serve the good people of Lagos State.

“We will discharge this duty with all sense of responsibility. We shall be transparent, honest and be diligent in the course of this assignment.

“We are going to mobilise all the staff in these departments and agencies to ensure that we actualise the manifestos of our great party and the campaign promises made by the Governor to the good people of Lagos State,” Rotinwa said.

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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.