Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Rite Foods Limited, through its proudly Nigerian brands Sosa Fruit Drink and Bigi Premium Water, has announced a strategic partnership with Showtime to support the upcoming Flag Football season.
This collaboration unites sport, family entertainment, and hospitality, reinforcing Rite Foods’ commitment to youth empowerment, inclusivity, and community development.
Announcing the collaboration at a recent meeting held at Rite Foods Head Office in Lagos, Ivie Okon, Showtime representative, highlighted the unique nature of flag football, describing it as a safer, semi-contact American version of football where players wear waist flags instead of tackling.
“Flag football is a family-friendly, inclusive sport that allows both men and women to compete together on the same team. Something not done anywhere else in the world. At showtime, we organise the largest co-ed flag football league because we believe in unity,” she explained.
She further noted that Showtime’s season runs from September 21st to December 21st, featuring 10 teams over 13 weeks, with weekly games every Sunday. The season will climax with the Showtime Bowl, a flagship event that blends together sports, music, side attractions, and family-friendly entertainment.
“For us, flag football is more than a sport; it is a festival of culture, togetherness, and joy,” Okuns added.
Esther Kalu of Showtime stressed the importance of hospitality in creating memorable sporting experiences. She pointed out that Sosa and Bigi’s partnership guarantees that refreshments and nourishment are part of the entertainment package, enhancing the overall audience experience.
Speaking on behalf of Rite Foods, Ruth Mark, Sosa Brand Manager, expressed excitement about the partnership.
Sosa fruit drink is proudly produced in Nigeria by Rite Foods Limited, packaged, and distributed locally, and of a world-class standard. We want to debunk the notion that Nigerian products lack quality, as Sosa is of very high quality and suitable for colleagues, friends, neighbours, and communities.
This partnership reflects our shared values of inclusivity, unity, and nourishment “.
Also, Olukemi Ogunsakin, Corporate Communication Manager, Rite Foods, highlighted the company’s broader Sustainability agenda:
“At Rite Foods, we are more than a food and beverage company; we are an organisation that cares for people and communities. Our sustainability strategy is anchored on the EYEC framework: Environment, Youth Development Education, and Community Development. Partnering with Showtime amplifies our investment in youth empowerment, inclusivity, and national unity. With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 35, sports like flag football are vital in channeling young energy into positive engagement”.
She concluded by reaffirming Rite Foods’ Ethos: “We are proudly Nigerian and truly world-class. Excellence can be found, created, and nurtured in the country.”

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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.