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President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje as the board chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.

 

Also appointed is the APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola as the board chairman of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

The Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment in a statement on Friday.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services,” the statement read.

“The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).”

 

He said Tinubu appointed former deputy governor of Kebbi State, Sulaiman Argungu, as the Chairman, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

Similarly, a long time ally of the President and former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, made the list as the Chairman, National Agency For Great Green Wall.

According to the presidential spokesman, Tinubu directed the “board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.”

 

See the full statement below:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

 

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.

 

The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

 

President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.

 

All the appointments take immediate effect.

 

NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

– Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman (Cross River)

 

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

– Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos)

 

FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION

– H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, Chairman (Kano)

 

NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

– Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola, Chairman (Osun)

 

NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY

– H. E. Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi)

 

NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL

– Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers)

 

NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE

– Barr. Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)

 

NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)

– Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)

 

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

– Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)

 

TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

– Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)

 

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND

– Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)

 

NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

– Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)

 

SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX

– Sen. Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)

 

FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA

– H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)

 

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION

– Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)

 

NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE

– Chief D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)

 

NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY

– Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL

– Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)

 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

– Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)

 

NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

– Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)

 

NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Hon. Durosimi Meseko, Chairman (Kogi)

 

FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE

– Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)

 

NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION

– Dr.Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)

 

FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI

– Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA

– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA

– Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA

– Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI

– Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)

 

CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD

– Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA

– Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA

– Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA

– Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)

 

DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE

– Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)

 

NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY

– Chief Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)

 

NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)

– Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)

 

NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE

– Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)

 

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA,

KADUNA STATE

– Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA

– Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)

 

RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)

– Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU

– Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman Zamfara

 

NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)

 

SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

– Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL

– Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)

 

FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD

– Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)

 

NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND

– Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 23, 2025

By admin

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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.