Tue. May 26th, 2026
Spread the love
Following his meeting with his father in the UK,  Prince Harry has flown to Ukraine to pledge support for the country’s injured in a surprise visit. The Duke of Sussex, 40, had gone on a four-day trip to the UK and it was expected that he would catch a flight back to Los Angeles on Thursday night, September 11, following his visit. However,  he caught an overnight train to Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where he has said he wants to do “everything possible” to help following an invitation from a charity chief. The Prince, a passionate supporter of wounded veterans, was accompanied by a team from the Invictus Games Foundation, and is set to detail new initiatives to support rehabilitation efforts. Primce Harry told The Guardian that the Foundation aims to eventually be able to provide help to all areas of the war-torn nation, with 130,000 people estimated to have been left with permanent disabilities. Speaking to the publication while on the train, Harry said: We cannot stop the war but what we can do is do everything we can to help the recovery process. He added: We can continue to humanise the people involved in this war and what they are going through. We have to keep it in the forefront of peoples minds. “I hope this trip will help to bring it home to people because its easy to become desensitised to what has been going on.  The Prince said he was invited to the country by Olga Rudnieva, the founder and CEO of the Superhumans Trauma Centre in Lviv. The royal had previously visited the centre, which cares for war-wounded veterans, specifically amputees, in April during another surprise trip. He acknowledged that, while he could not stop the war, Ms Rudnieva told him the biggest impact he could have would be visiting the country’s capital. Before he was able to, however, he said he had to check with Meghan Markle, his wife, and the British government, then he received an official invitation. He said: I bumped into Olga in New York. It was a chance meeting and I asked her what I could do to help. She said the biggest impact you have is coming to Kyiv. “I had to check with my wife and the British government to make sure it was OK. Then the official invitation came. In Lviv, you dont see much of the war. It is so far west. This is the first time we will see the real destruction of the war. The Prince has another packed trip ahead of him, the second in one week following his flying, charity-facing visit to the UK, with a series of official appearances on the cards. They include a visit to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, an opportunity to spend time with 200 veterans also invited to the nation, and a meeting with Ukrainian PM Yulia Svyrydenko. The post Prince Harry makes surprise visit to war-hit Ukraine promising support to injured appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

You missed

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.