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For the second consecutive year, leading engineering and construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, has emerged as the Best Construction and Infrastructure Company of the Year (West Africa).

The award was presented on Thursday in Lagos.

Organised by the West Africa Innovation Awards, the recognition saw Julius Berger outperform competitors including Micheleti Construction Ghana Limited and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to secure the prestigious honour.

According to the Chairman of the Awards Organising Committee, Canmil Chineme, the award recognises a distinguished brand that serves as a pillar in one of the subregion’s most critical industries.

He noted that such accolades inspire innovation and promote superior customer engagement aligned with global best practices.

Chineme further stated that, following extensive consultations and careful evaluation by a panel of judges, the Governing Board of the West Africa Innovation Awards selected Julius Berger Nigeria PLC as the 2026 winner.

The company was commended for its exceptional contributions in innovation, professionalism, and customer service excellence.

Reacting to the recognition, Julius Berger’s Director of Administration, Dr Abdulaziz Isa Kaita, described the award as a reaffirmation of the company’s over five decades of steadfast commitment to excellence, innovation, quality, safety, and nation-building across Nigeria and the wider West African region.

He expressed appreciation to the organisers for the honour. In his acceptance speech, delivered to resounding applause, Dr Kaita remarked that the award represents more than a corporate achievement.

Tonight, we celebrate more than concrete, steel, and asphalt, he said; adding, we celebrate vision, resilience, and the transformative power of infrastructure in shaping economies, connecting communities, and improving lives.

He emphasised that infrastructure development is not just a business for Julius Berger, but a lasting legacy.

From iconic bridges and highways to airports, seaports, industrial facilities, hospitals, and other critical national projects, our journey has always been guided by one principle: building excellence and connecting futures, he added.

Saying that at Julius Berger remains fully committed to leading this transformation, the Director said the company continues to invest in: innovative engineering solutions, sustainable construction practices, cold recycling technology, local content development, human capital empowerment, Health, Safety and Environmental excellence and modern infrastructure systems that support economic growth across the West Africa.

We are particularly proud that our projects continue to create jobs, stimulate commerce, improve connectivity, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

This award will inspire us to do even more, he added.

Dr Kaita dedicated the award to the company’s workforce, including engineers, technicians, architects, operators, artisans, administrators, and support staff, whose dedication continues to uphold Julius Berger’s reputation for excellence.

The 15th edition of the awards ceremony also celebrated other organisations, including Sovereign Trust Insurance PLC, Vitafoam, CRC Credit Bureau Limited, and West African Human Resource Outsourcing Company, in a vibrant evening marked by glamour and celebration.

The post Julius Berger Beats Rivals to Clinch West Africa Construction Award Again appeared first on THE AUTHORITY NEWS.

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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.