Popular comediennes will today thrill guests to an evening of fun and laughter at the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The comedy show tagged ‘Ladies of Laughter’ will have Chigul, Wofai Fada, Lolo 1, Mandy, Lepacious Bose, Princess and Helen Paul in performance.
The comediennes who are excited at performing at this event packaged by organisers to celebrate and appreciate the craft of female comedians as well as embrace the #TimesUp campaign being led by women all over the world, are already uploading the poster of the event to spread the news.
The organisers also explained that though the Nigerian comedy industry is well-grounded, it still remains a male-dominated industry. Thus the brain behind the show, to celebrate the women that have been able to break the bars and establish themselves, as well as encourage the upcoming or aspiring comedians.
AS guests trickled into the Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos, they might have expected a regular book launch with speeches and long readings. As guests took their seats and the lights went off and the cameras started rolling, then action.
That was how first time author Joseph Endy Ogbuka launched his first poetry book, ‘Deep’.
The event started with a screening of a vox-pop where people from different walks of life gave diverse interpretations of the word ‘Deep’. Then, Ogbuka recited one of the poems, ‘Occupy Nigeria’ which reflects the heart of Nigerians whenever they take part in rallies and protests. Later, Ogbuka’s daughters, Olachi and Kachi read two poems from the book, ‘#Occupy Nigeria’ and ‘Life’ respectively.
A major highlight of the event was the performance by the troupe, Thespian Muse. They dissected the poems and infused then in a 45-minutes performance of dance, music, drama and panegyrics.
Ogbuka in his speech said the book is a labour of love and had nursed the idea for a long time. He also promised to work on another one soon.
Omoye Uzamere put the performances together alongside Ultima Studios.
THEOPHILUS ADEOYE passed out of high school in flying colours. Few months after, he secured admission to study Banking and Finance in the university of his dreams, in Lagos. Then he died. Theophilus, 17, died of excessive consumption of vodka and tramadol, a medical analgesic (pain killer).
Theophilus’ death was a tragedy that Ronke, his widowed mother could make no sense of even as you read. Ronke, 43, cannot understand why Theophilus binged on vodka and tramadol. As she bemoaned her loss, shades of sadness mingled with vanishing mirth, masked in the mournful lilt of her painful narrative.
“I had never seen him drink. Whenever we attended any family occasion, he requested for soft drinks. He never even took beer. He knew it was against our religious doctrine. He knew I forbade him to take alcohol…He died because he kept bad company. His friends influenced him to drink and take drugs. I had warned him about those boys and he promised not to see them again. I was heartbroken to see the same boys call my phone to inform me that he was dying…Theophilus, my poor boy. He wanted to study medicine. He really worked hard and prayed hard to secure admission into the university of his dreams. Who would have thought that the money I had been saving to pay his tuition would be used to pay his medical bills and bury him? Now, I am finished. I am alone in this world,” said Ronke.
But Ronke is not actually alone in the world. She has a daughter. Her name is Tolani. Tolani used to be her second and last child, now she is her only child. In a separate chat with The Nation, Tolani, 15, revealed that contrary to her mother’s beliefs, her late brother persistently indulged in binge-drinking.
Further findings revealed that the late teenager and his friends crushed a pack of tramadol tablets containing1, 000mg of the drug – that is, 100mg×10 tablets. After crushing it into powdery form, they poured it into a full bottle of cognac or vodka. But they did not stop at that; the teenagers, shared the concoction in separate glass cups, mixed it with ice cubes and their preferred energy drinks.
“He had been taking it since he got promoted to SSS 3. I guess he took a liking for the drink at the celebration party he and his classmates held the second week after they got promoted to SSS 3. I saw Theo (her abbreviation of Theophilus) hide his party clothes in his school bag the night before the party date and I challenged him. He pleaded with me not to tell our mom and promised to take me along with him hence I also hid my party frock and shoes in my bag. We snuck out of school to attend the party at a bar very close to our school in Bariga, Lagos.
“At the party, Theo and his friends freely distributed a strange looking drink that foamed with bubbles. It was reddish in colour and everyone at the party were drinking it claiming it tasted good. I was one of the few junior students at the party and I had no choice but to join them in drinking it but I stopped when I realised that I was feeling dizzy,” disclosed Tolani.
Thus did the late teenager’s addiction to vodka and tramadol begin. It was a journey that however, climaxed in his untimely death. “The day he died,” said one of his friends who simply identified himself as Augustine, “I warned him to stop taking the drinks but he refused to listen. He was already drunk from taking too much cognac with tramadol but he still wanted to get high…He ignored my warnings and joined our friends in calling me a sissy. They said I was behaving like their baby sister. They taunted me continuously and vowed never to invite me along on subsequent trips.”
Augustine revealed that late Theophilus downed several cups of cognac laced with 1, 000mg tramadol and a popular energy drink. “When we finished the bottle of cognac, we prepared another bottle (thus making two bottles of cognac and 2, 000mg worth of tramadol). I stopped drinking after they sent someone to get another pack of tramadol and a bottle of vodka. They claimed the cognac was not bringing out the venom (efficacy) of the drug, so they decided to get this very expensive bottle of vodka. I warned them that, that particular vodka was too strong but they ignored me and called me ‘Mother Theresa.’ They said I was pretending to be cautious to hide my stinginess. They claimed I didn’t want to contribute my cut of the money to get the drink. It almost led to a scuffle between me and some of them. In anger, I threw N1, 000 on the table and left for home,” he said.
On his way home, Augustine claimed he sent a message to late Theophilus via Blackberry Messenger (BBM). “I told him I would see him after church service the next day. The following day was a Sunday because we went out to drink on a Saturday. He received my message but he didn’t reply. But I still made up my mind to see him,” he said.
Augustine saw Theophilus quite alright. He saw his lifeless body. “One of our friends sent me a message via BBM to inform me that Theophilus died on that Saturday night,” said Augustine. An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said he was in the same car with Theophilus when tragedy struck. He said: “Before we left the club, he said he was having a headache and feeling nauseous but he was the only one that could drive, plus he was the least inebriated. Hence he stuck his hand in his throat till he vomited. He took two tablets of tramadol, crushing it with his teeth without taking water. He said it would keep him awake and stop the nausea.
“Subsequently, we got in the car and left for home. We were two junctions away from his street when he started gasping. He said he could not breathe. I switched on the inner light and saw that he was sweating profusely. When he said he could not move his arms I asked him to step on the brake and stop the car. I called his sister and few minutes later, she arrived with his mom and their uncle to take him to the clinic. Before they arrived, two of our friends that were in the car with us, deserted us. They said, I was in the best position to stay and offer them useful information since I was his childhood friend.”
Theophilus died 1 hour and 48 minutes after he got to the clinic. The doctor who confirmed his death stated that the late 17-year-old abused tramadol by taking it in extreme dosages with alcohol. “When they brought him in, he presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome. He had a blood concentration of 21.5 mg/L tramadol, with toxic levels of nicotine possibly from excessive smoking and other drugs. The patient slipped to tachycardia, deep coma and presented bilaterally dilated pupils. He had mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis (Acidosis is an increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue, that is, an increased hydrogen ion concentration). If not further qualified, it usually refers to acidity of the blood plasma and needed mechanical ventilation. Subsequently, he developed multiple organ dysfunction and suffered severe seizures every 20 minutes. He suffered sudden cardiac arrest. He could not be resuscitated,” he said.
Expert opinion on cause of Theophilus’ death
Adeyinka Ogunseyitan, a medical doctor, stated that Theophilus probably died from an overdose of tramadol. “The fact that he persistently mixed with it with vodka made him more vulnerable to health crisis.” According to him, major adverse reactions to tramadol therapy are nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, particularly at the start of the therapy. At therapeutic doses, tramadol does not cause clinically relevant respiratory depression. Tramadol, he explained, is generally considered as a medicinal drug with a low potential for dependence relative to morphine. Nevertheless, tramadol dependence may occur when used over a prolonged period. Dependence to tramadol may occur when used within the recommended dose range of tramadol but especially when used at very high doses. “In many individuals with tramadol dependence, a substance abuse history is found,” he said.
The drug’s analgesic potency is said to be about one tenth that of morphine. Orally administered tramadol can produce opioid-like (similar to opium in effect or similar in properties to opium) effects both mentally and physically. But these effects are mild and hardly produced following moderate oral administration. At supra-therapeutic doses, intoxications may occur. Symptoms of tramadol intoxication are similar to those of other opioid analgesics. Symptoms include central nervous system (CNS) depression and coma, tachycardia, cardiovascular collapse, seizures, and
respiratory depression up to respiratory arrest. Fatal intoxications are rare and often
associated with large overdoses of tramadol and co-ingestion of other drugs including nicotine and alcohol.
The Nation investigations revealed that the vodka consumed by the teenager prior to his death contained 52 per cent of alcohol per 100cl bottle and he and three of his friends consumed two bottles of the drink after downing two bottles of cognac with alcohol content of 43 per cent per 100cl bottle.
Binging on alcohol, adhesive and cough syrup with codeine
In a separate incident, Ifeanyi, a 15-year old high school dropout, almost lost his life from sniffing adhesive glue and consuming a mixture of alcoholic beverages and cough syrup containing codeine. Ifeanyi, was allegedly introduced to glue sniffing and the alcoholic beverage and cough syrup concoction by a childhood friend who works in the same factory with him. According to Ifeanyi, he realised that his friend, suddenly vanished at break time, with a crew of fellow menial workers at the factory where they worked. Soon, he accosted his friend and demanded that he invited him on the trips outside the factory. But contrary to his expectation that they had discovered a good canteen somewhere in the vicinity, his friend and his newfound acquaintances had been frequenting a local pub where they consume a concoction of cough syrup with codeine and herbal alcoholic beverages. At their insistence, he tried the mixture and got hooked to it.
Ifeanyi became so addicted to the drink that he began to consume it excessively. “I began to take it every morning, afternoon and at night in order to feel high and relaxed,” he said, adding that he became more inured to the drink, and even more adept than his friends at consuming it that they nicknamed him “Coded baba,” an alias adapted from the codeine constituent of the cough syrup.
Ifeanyi consumed a 100ml bottle of alcoholic beverage mixed with a 100ml bottle of cough syrup with codeine in the morning before going to work, during lunch hour and at night before retiring to bed thus consuming 300ml of herbal alcoholic beverage and 300ml of cough syrup with codeine daily. According to him, it puts him in perpetual ecstasy, a feeling he became accustomed to and frequently yearned for. Soon he began to suffer the downside of his addiction. He developed chronic headache, constipation and dizziness. According to him, thing turned awry when he suffered a total meltdown of his health. “I was forced to reduce my intake of the potion when I fell seriously ill and I couldn’t remember all that happened to me. They told me I temporarily ran mad. Fear catch me. I no wan kolo. (I became frightened. I didn’t wish to run mad). That is why I stopped taking it at night. Now, I only take it in the morning and afternoon. And that is because it keeps me fit for factory work,” he said. Ifeanyi, according to medical opinion, developed psychiatric disturbances due to prolonged abuse of alcohol and cough syrup containing codeine.
Another tragic case was that of a youth that presented with a seven-year history of misuse of codeine containing cough syrup, with intermittent use of the narcotic-like analgesic tramadol and alcohol. According to the doctors that treated him at the Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, he suffered an associated four-year history of recurrent convulsions.
The doctors revealed that the patient’s friend allegedly introduced him to the use of cough syrups, as a means of ‘elevating his mood.’ He began misusing a bottle each day (containing 219 mg of codeine sulphate) and gradually increased the amount ingested to three or four bottles daily in order to sustain its ‘euphoriant’ effects. He also described a strong and sometimes uncontrollable urge to use the substance, and experienced mild tremors with body aches if he was unable to use it. He admitted to pilfering funds from his parents to procure cough syrups and sustain the habit. All previous attempts to stop the habit were unsuccessful and the longest period of abstinence was one month.
He persisted with the use of cough syrups despite knowledge and experience of its harmful consequence. Over the seven-year period, he intermittently consumed tramadol initially ingesting a capsule but increased it gradually to 10 capsules per day. He also misused nicotine (cigarettes), cannabis and alcohol.
Consequently, he suffered seizures repetitively; following the onset of spontaneous seizures, he discontinued the use of tramadol and alcohol after he learnt of their tendency to induce seizures. The seizures however persisted even when he misused the cough syrups alone. Seizures were generalised and lasted about one to two minutes. Each episode was preceded by blurring of his vision, and followed by postictal sleep. The postictal state is the altered state of consciousness after an epileptic seizure. It usually lasts between five and 30 minutes, but sometimes longer in the case of larger or more severe seizures and is characterised by drowsiness, confusion, nausea, hypertension, headache or migraine and other disorienting symptoms. Additionally, emergence from this period is often accompanied by amnesia or other memory defects. It is during this period that the brain recovers from the trauma of the seizure. The patient had no episode of seizures while receiving 400 mg of sodium valproate (an acidic organic compound that has found clinical use as an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorder and prevention of migraine headaches)
daily on in-patient care. He remained seizure free after medications were tailed off after five weeks.
Despite the perceived dangers of abusing drugs, Olamide Ishola, a roadside mechanic in Abule Oja, Lagos, argued that there is nothing anyone can tell him to prevent him from seeking thrills in adhesive glue, paint cans, herbal alcoholic beverages and cough syrup. “O ti ga ju! O da bi ki eyan ma ta iku laya, ki eyan ma ji orun wo laiku.Won ni o npa yan, e je ki o pami. E je ki nwapa, e je ki nku. Aye kan yi ni mo wa (It’s a great experience. It’s like kissing death. It’s peeping into heaven while still alive…They say it kills. Let me die. Let me follow the thrill, to my grave. I only got this life to live),” he said in between greedy snorts from a bottle containing a potion of adhesive and diluted paint.
Dangers of taking cough syrup containing codeine with alcohol
Those who use opiates often experience psychiatric disturbances according to Isabella Kembi, a clinical psychiatrist. According to her, a number of patients have been admitted with psychiatric disorders including psychosis and affective episodes following abuse of codeine containing cough syrups. The withdrawals of codeine containing cough syrups she noted, often occur in a manner similar to heroin withdrawals but in a comparatively milder form. “Abusers often suffer grievous episodes of depression and anxiety neurosis,” she said.
The abuse of cough syrup that contains codeine (also known as promethazine hydrochloride) is spreading among youths today. It is usually abused undiluted or mixed with soda, carbonated drinks or alcohol. Cough syrup with codeine is a preferred substance of abuse for youths because of its wide availability. Codeine, though less potent than heroine, is a derivative of morphine (an opiate) that produces a similar type of dependency. Oftentimes, cough syrups with codeine are used recreationally for sheer pleasure, curiosity, to experience highs likened to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or phencylidine and euphoric sensations. The effects typically last for about six hours. The effects of the syrup often vary with the amount (dose) taken as well as characteristics of the individual using the substance but psychological and physiological addiction can set in within two to three weeks of consistent use, according to medical experts. Excessive amounts of codeine can have a negative impact on the user’s central nervous system as well as reduce the activity of the lungs and the heart. Although codeine can be safely taken in 15- to 30 milligram doses to suppress a cough, people who abuse it tend to consume as much as 360 milligrams or more and the situation becomes even more dangerous when these substances are used with alcohol or another drug. Abuse of cough syrup causes other undesirable effects like depression, high blood pressure, impaired judgment and panic attacks. Usually, intoxication is accompanied by papillary constriction, and one or more of the following signs: drowsiness or even coma, slurred speech, and impairment in attention or memory; inattention to the environment, even to the point of ignoring potentially harmful events.
Getting high on sewages, lizard tail and faeces
Youths in Lagos, particularly menial workers involved in heavy lifting, have also discovered a new high from inhaling the stench of exposed gutters or sewages. Be it a public, roadside sewage or septic tank built in the home to hold human waste, the thrill seekers continually seek attain new highs from the next stinking sewage. Another popular intoxicant in Abuja and other major parts of northern Nigeria is lizard faeces.
Findings revealed that Nigerian youth have devised various means of getting high on lizard dung. For instance, when mixed with clothing dye powder, Zaqami medicinal herbs and seeds, lizard droppings offers unimaginable “high” to those addicted to it. The lizard dung is the most important part of the mixture. “We take a bowl, and start by adding blue dye powder to some water. Then we take the seeds from this fruit – called Zaqami. It’s a powerful medicine. Next we take the white part of the lizard dung and crumble it into the water. There are other things we can add as well, but this is ok. It’s ready to drink now,” said a menial worker from Kano State. The potion, when taken with peanuts or kolanut, produces a strong effect akin to drinking whisky on a very hot day.
In the northern city of Kano, there is now an alarming increase in the use of cheap household chemical products, lizard droppings and other cheap but highly toxic ways to get “high.”
Street kids and other youngsters are paid to hunt lizards and capture them alive; then the animals are kept in cages where they are fed daily and their droppings are collected, dried and kept safely for use. The users blend the faeces and wrap it neatly away to be taken as a drink; and while some others prefer to inhale the blended dung, others love to smoke crush it and smoke it with marijuana. The intoxicating effect of lizard dropping is believed to be 50 percent higher than marijuana and cocaine.
A 19-year old presented at the neuropsychiatric hospital with a history of smoking lizard dung, burnt lizard tail and marijuana. He said a friend introduced it to him. Initially, he said they crushed lizard faeces together with marijuana and settled down to smoke it, chasing it down with any brand of local alcoholic beverage. He enjoyed the pleasurable effect and started using it to get high until a friend at the construction site where he worked allegedly introduced him to the potency of lizard tail too. The most frequent pattern of use was mixing lizard faeces and marijuana with charred tail of lizard and smoking it. He said it increased his self-esteem, made him more confident, and sedated him for at least 10 hours. The patient claimed that immediately the ecstasy wears off, he starts craving seriously for another fix of marijuana, lizard tail and faeces. The craving is usually unbearable as it caused him severe nausea, itching of the throat, gums and several body parts and mild trembling.
To guarantee his daily fix, he would usually obtain lizards from walls of the houses, toilets, and around trees.
On detailed psychiatric examination, he was diagnosed as a case of opioid-dependent syndrome and nicotine-dependent syndrome. While we did not provide any specific pharmacological treatment for the use of wall lizard, said his doctor, he received the standard pharmacotherapy for opioid and nicotine withdrawal. Even during initial few days of the hospital stay, he was found
chewing tails of wall lizards. He reported that it would help him in managing his craving for the complete cocktail.
Addiction causes rise in price of codeine containing cough syrup
The Nation investigations revealed that due to increased patronage of cough syrup containing codeine by youths in several parts of Lagos and the growing profit margin in sales, chemists and pharmacies have inflated the price of the drug. Random visits to several stores in Lagos and Ogun State revealed that due to the recent ban imposed by the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on the sale of cough mixtures to purchasers without doctor’s prescription, a black market currently exists for thrill seekers addicted to the product. For instance, a local chemist in Ifo, Ogun State revealed that it is impossible for her to stop selling the drug to customers just because they do not have doctor’s prescription. “What I do is that, I do not display it on my shelf but anybody wanting to buy it from me can get it if he or she asks for it the right way,” she said.
Since cough syrup with codeine became a favourite among drug abusers, adolescents to be precise, her sales had improved, she said. Corroborating her, another chemist in Oworonsoki, Lagos, revealed that she sells more of cough syrups containing codeine these days. To prevent being caught by NAFDAC task force, she supplies the cough syrups to itinerant drug retailers who visit the neighbourhoods and the homes of the drug’s abusers and established customers to sell the drugs to them.
“If it is taken to their homes, it will cost N2, 000 per bottle being cost of sale and delivery. If they come to the shop, they can purchase between N1, 000 to N1, 500. The price fluctuates according to the availability of the drug and demand for it,” said the chemist.
Further investigations revealed that cough syrup containing codeine are also bought in complete cartons by high users of the drug.
“Yahoo boys usually buy the drugs in cartons,” said the chemist revealing that the drugs are usually repackaged in cartons of tin tomato, fruit juice or deskjet printers to escape the watchful eyes of law enforcement agents during delivery.
A carton of Benylin with codeine cough syrup contains 40 bottles (10ml per bottle). Local retailers however, purchase the drugs at normal price, selling them about four times above its initial price. But while retailers of the drug smile to the bank, mothers who need the drug to cure their children’s cold and catarrh are forced to bear the brunt.
“It used to cost less than N500 before they increased the price. They said NAFDAC has banned them from selling it to people that fail to present doctor’s prescription but these chemists sell the drug to drug addicts at exorbitant prices. That is why they have increased the price across board. They do not care to distinguish between bonafide patients who need the drugs and drug addicts seeking a thrill from using it,” lamented Afolake Adetela, a teacher at Queens College, Yaba, Lagos.
Study confirms prevalence of drug abuse among youths
As part of its surveillance functions, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1989, for purposes of exterminating illicit drug trafficking and consumption in Nigerian society, from to time arrest suspicious individuals for routine checks and investigations. This agency has offices in major cities in Nigeria including State capitals and Abuja.
A recent study carried out by a team of scientists and researchers from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, sought to determine the prevalence of drug abuse by Nigerian youths by comparing the pattern of substance use in two cities, Uyo and Kiru, Kano State respectively. A total of 338 male inmates, 190 from Uyo and 148 from Kano completed a modified form of 117-item self-report instrument based on the World Health Organization guidelines for students’ substance-use surveys.
The study was carried out at two Rehabilitation Centres Uyo and Kiru Rehabilitation Centres. The first centre was at Uyo, capital both Uyo Local Area and Akwa Ibom State. The two centres were established by both Akwa Ibom and Kano States to take care of youths and young adults with history of substance use problems respectively.
Participants in the study included male youths that were arrested and camped at the both Kiru and Uyo Rehabilitation Centres, between October and December, 2013. The study shows that there are differences in the types and nature of substances used in southern and northern parts of the country. While alcohol is used commonly in Uyo, inhalants such as glue, petrol, formalin and shoe polish are consumed in large quantities in Kiru. Also in this study, about 35% of inmates from Uyo and 43% from Kiru used Indian hemp, 7% and 15% used cocaine, while 5% and 12% used heroin.
This according to the researchers, is a very dangerous trend in view of the associated health hazards. The scenario could be overwhelming when taken into consideration that 45% of inmates from Uyo and 55% from Kiru in Kano, used more than one substance including potent habit-forming substances. Although, it may be difficult to isolate behaviours due to alcohol and other substances, several studies have implicated these substances in various mental illnesses. There is also overwhelming evidence linking various antisocial vices to use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances, according to the researchers.
The findings of the study also revealed that the substances are present in large and equal quantities in both cities. “Our study also highlights various reasons among inmates for using alcohol and other psychoactive substances. The findings seem to suggest that ready availability alone accounts for more than 25% of the reasons in both cities, while unemployment and influence from others were responsible for 18% and 24% respectively.”
The findings of the study also reveal a more disturbing trend in the use of substances in the country. Although studies in the past have always focused on alcohol and other potent habit-forming substances, the use of prescription drugs is gradually taking a centre stage, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria, where more than 30% of the inmates used sleeping drugs such as diazepam and rohypnol and cough syrup.
The results of the study also suggested that substance use has become more prevalent among the country’s youth. “The lifetime prevalence of alcohol/substance use was more in Uyo than Kiru (47.4% vs. 33.7%); but current use prevalence of more than one substance was (48.3% vs. 54.6%). The use of alcohol in various forms was high in Uyo, compared to inhalants, sleeping drugs, cough syrup in Kiru. The use of cigarettes and marijuana is high in both cities,” noted the researchers.
Stemming a dangerous tide
•A street kid prepares marijuana for sale in Oshodi, Lagos
In 1989, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Decree was enacted. It was this decree that brought to being the establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The agency has 18 functions, almost all of which border on law enforcement.
The decree instituted life imprisonment for production, transportation, sale of cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), heroin, or any similar drugs. Knowingly possessing or using any of these drugs attracts 15 to 25 years jail term. Being an accessory in trafficking also attracts 15 to 25 years jail term.
The NDLEA as parts of its effort to address the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking among Nigerians youths, recently launched a Substance Abuse Awareness symbol and Celebrities Drug-free Club. At the launch in Lagos, the agency said it was aimed at promoting youth- oriented programmes that would provide alternative activities to drug involvement.
Speaking at the launch , Chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, said the inauguration of the club, which members comprised celebrities in the entertainment and movie industries, would among others, “encourage youths to resist drug use , identify those who use and encourage them to seek help, as well as increase understanding of the dangers posed by alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.”
Represented by Mr. Baba Hussaini, the agency’s Director of Drug Demand Reduction, Giade who noted that the use and abuse of drugs and substances was the preserve of adult males in the 80s, lamented that today, it cut across all socio -economic class, sex and age. Indeed, abuse of tramadol, cough syrup containing codeine and alcohol is no doubt a new trend among adolescent drug abusers. To stem the tide of the abuse, Kemi Oladipupo, a medical doctor recommended that tramadol and cough syrup containing codeine should be recognised as an agents of abuse and addiction with seizures and likely death, as features of the drug’s toxicity.
On another note, a research team comprising Saheed Raji, Chinwe Inogbo, Sunday Oriji and Bawo James of the Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Edo State recommended that clinicians should tactically inquire about codeine use from multiple substance users for active case finding, early intervention and future research. “Preference should be given to the prescription of non-narcotic antitussives and analgesic remedies, especially in multiple substance users. Furthermore, regulatory bodies and agencies like the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other stakeholders should place more restriction on the sale and procurement of codeine containing cough syrups,” the team suggested.
It would be recalled that NAFDAC took a proactive step in the wake of cough syrup containing codeine abuse by cancelling its over-the-counter (OTC) status of the drug and declaring it a prescription only medication (POM) instead.
Despite such measure, codeine containing cough syrups are still been purchased and abused by drug abusers in the country, teenagers and young adults in particular. More worrisomely, the nation’s youth have devised ingenious means to ‘get high’ binging on inhalants, sewages, lizard tail and excreta, marijuana, alcohol, and so on.
“More awareness is needed to educate the public on the risk of the indiscriminate use of codeine containing cough syrups and other drugs,” said Omodele Oshin, a psychiatrist. As the government, NDLEA and other stakeholders go to the drawing board, let them not forget to include obscure neighbourhood bars and roadside pubs in their list of target zones.
Several of such spots abound across Lagos for instance. The Nation findings in one such haven manifested as a pilgrimage of sort. Seven youngsters converged around a lacquered table in the bar. The table bore an assortment of adulterated cognac, herbal alcoholic beverages and peppered ponmo, a local delicacy made of roasted cowhide. There wasn’t much activity at the table save the occasional lamentation of the gang about the lateness of a waiter who ought to have returned from a crucial errand. At the waiter’s entrance into the bar, he marched briskly to the adolescents’ table grinning sheepishly and muttering profuse apology. Swiftly, he deposited the contents of his carrier bag on the table; it comprised eight bottles of cough syrup containing codeine and cigarettes. Promptly, each member of the crew methodically picked up a bottle and deposited the content in their drinks.
As they gulped, the ecstasy on their faces told a maniacal story of obsession with plaintive grace; then a female member of the crew rose from her seat to gyrate to the thumping club mix blaring from the joint’s woofers with careless charm. She sang out loud to the music even as she stripped her torso to reveal her scantily clad breasts. Her crew of course treated her to a raucous cheer. It was apparent that they hardly cared if she stripped herself naked. They simply basked in the thrill that caused their friend to unclothe her hidden graces, to the nudge and weird buzz induced by their intoxicating mixture. And thus is the real tragedy of getting ‘high.’
Kaduna and Makurdi, penultimate weekend, got the feel of Orijin groove, as the iconic brand officials berthed in the cities. Guests at the events were treated to the best of entertainment, courtesy of Orijin brand.
The ancient city of Makurdi got into the groove as Limpopo crooner, Kingsley Okonkwo, aka Kcee heralded the official launch of Orijin in the city. Guests and fun seekers at the party were left asking for more, as the Opekete master thrilled everyone with his scintillating performance. In Kaduna, Mr. Aboki, Ice Prince, held the audience with his maverick display and rendition of his lyrics.
The Orijin launch across major cities in Nigeria is a continuation of what has become one of the biggest product launches ever witness in Nigeria. Fun seekers and esteemed consumers of the drink have enjoyed the best of music and entertainment as the train of Orijin national launch moves around the states.
The Orijin party has been to the Garden City of Port Harcourt, Onistha, Nnewi and Benin among others. At these cities, the brand featured the best of Nigerian hip hop music stars, with huge crowd trooping to the venues of the event in anticipation of an unforgettable experience.
Other hip hop stars that entertained at the parties are Timaya, Burna Boy, and Phyno. Ace disc jockeys, DJ Humility and DJ Spinall also ensured there were no dull moments.
Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness, said, “Since we introduced Orijin, the feedbacks from our esteemed consumers have been encouraging. We launched Orijin in our quest to continuously satisfy our numerous consumers across the Nigerian market and we are glad the brand has been widely accepted.”
It was a weekend of fun, as guests were entertained at the Project Fame All Star concert at the LTV Blue Roof Arena, Ikeja, Lagos.
Fans came out en masse to party with their favourite superstars and MTN ambassadors.
Thrilling fun seekers at the event, Timaya put up what was described by guests as one of his best performances so far.
Chidinma Ekile also dazzled the audience with her scintillating voice.
Other artistes who rocked the show include Banky W, Oritsefemi, Praiz, The Mavin crew, Kcee and Olawale Ojo, winner of Project Fame 6.
The crowd stood up for great showmanship and applauded the artistes who graced the All-Stars stage.
The climax of all the performances was when Larry Annetts, the out-going Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, enlivened the audience with his rendition of Kcee’s Limpopo.
For lovers of Gospel music, it was another great moment to experience spiritual rejuvenation of sorts, when fast-rising gospel singer, Bayo Apata, launched his maiden album, Undiluted Praise, at the Mariana Hotel and Suite, Lagos, recently.
The energetic act, who is still basking in the euphoria of the successful launch, said: “Music has been my passion, right from my school days. Even my parents knew I was going to be a musician. Undiluted Praise is a message to everybody in this life. There are many worship and praise songs, but I think this is an exceptional praise song,” he said.
When asked to comment on his relationship with the late Roland Olomola, popularly known as Baba Ara, he said: “He was a big influence on my career. He gave me the opportunity to perform on live stages. I also watched the performances of established gospel acts before producing my own album. I am happy to have fulfilled a long time dream. But the launching could have been more special, if my mentor, Baba Ara, was still alive.
“I have lots of role models in the industry. But I can only seek advice from the likes of Atorise, Mega 99, Femi Opalemo and Tope Alabi, among other gospel singers.”
The chief sponsor of the night, Olakunle Olopade, expressed delight at the album launch. “Bayo is a good gospel musician. His music is dynamic; he’s living on the dream of Baba Ara and it is a great pleasure being part of this project. We are look forward to taking it beyond the Nigerian level.”
Gospel singers Lanre Teriba and Mega 99, among others, were among the celebrities who added a touch of glamour to the launch.
It was a day of glory for popular Yoruba actress Liz Anjorin when she played host to celebrities and dignitaries at the second anniversary of her foundation, The Liz Anjorin Foundation and premiere of her latest flick, Kofo, The First Lady, at the Anchor Events Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, amidst pomp and circumstance.
Though the event, which was anchored by actor Saidi Balogun and standup comedian Koffi last weekend, has come and gone, many will still treasure the memory for a long time, particularly because it was graced by a lot of heavy weights in the entertainment industry.
It all started when the petite actress made a grand entry into the beautifully decorated hall on that breezy evening. As expected, all eyes turned to her, as she went to the stage, with a stern- looking bouncer and a retinue of ushers walking closely behind her.
While the guests were having a fun time, legendary Juju musician King Sunny Ade, aka KSA, majestically walked in. The award-winning musician flashed a winsome smile as he welcomed Liz, performed for few minutes and dashed back in style, even before the guests could get enough of him.
Almost immediately after KSA’s performance, two Islamic acts, Alhaji Sadiat and Alawiye, thrilled the guests to some of their hit songs. The experience was not different when wave-making singer, Earthquake, mounted the stage.
One of the highpoints of the event was the Magic Show by Nike Peller, who was also the chairperson, planning committee, and her brother, Zitto Peller. It was a re-enactment of what gave their late father, Professor Moshood Abiola Peller, his name and fame.
For many, the 10-minute drama staged by Liz Anjorin and Baba Ijesha also added colour and panache to the event. However, it was a prelude of sorts to the movie, which was being premiered.
The Liz Anjorin Foundation was founded two years ago to cater for the mentally and physically challenged children in the society.
“It all started like a dream, but I thank God it is gradually becoming a reality. Since we started the foundation, we have visited special schools across the country. We have toured visually all the special schools in Ogun State. The main reason for the movie premiere is to garner support of the corporate body as well as government for the mentally challenged in our society. The movie, Kofo, The First Lady, centres on the fact that, even if one is mentally challenged, one can still contribute to the society. I guess it’s true that there is ability in disability,” said Liz Anjorin.
Assisted by the two comperes, she passed around her donation cards to the guests at the event. While the donation was ongoing, KSA put up another exciting performance.
Among the dignatories in attendance were Chief Gani Adams, Hon. Suraj Adekanbi, Mrs. Ajoke Yinusa, Hon. Adepegba Sulaiman, Laide Bakare, Baba Tee, Madam Saje, Muka Ray, Mercy Aigbe, Yinka Quadri and Fali Werepe.
Nsukka, a sleepy town in Eastern Nigeria, was aglow when the first leg of the annual Star Music Trek, a star-studded concert organised by Nigerian Breweries, berthed on the University, Saturday night.
In its 13th edition, organisers had unveiled the full list of top-rated artistes at a spectacular sign-on party in Lagos, arousing great expectation among fans across 10 Nigerian cities.
2face leads an exciting line-up which opened at Nsukka. The show recorded an unprecedented crowd, as the famous singer dazzled music buffs with other artistes such as M.I, Olamide, Naeto C and Phyno, who performed hit after hit, to the delight of fans.
Venue was the Local Government Stadium, Nsukka, where show host, Do2tun of CoolFM, took time to welcome guest from far and near with hilarious jokes, as he introduced the line-up and called the artistes to stage.
Naeto C’s stylish blend of music and panache did the trick, as his dancers kept up with the rapper’s swift beat. Joining him on stage, was Efa, whose stuff gave verve to his performance with songs like 5&6, Tony Montana, and 10/10 still resonating strongly with his fans.
With an impressive collabo, Phyno and Olamide delivered stellar performances to fans who screamed excitedly. Phyno’s fans were introduced to new songs from his recently released album No Guts No Glory, even as he played familiar hits like Ghostmode, Obago, Dope Money, and Man of the Year among others.
With an elated fan, Chidinma miming M.I’s song, One Naira, the show became more interactive and engaging, as she got the rapper’s expensive wristwatch as a prize. With other songs like Chairman, Anoti etc, the self-acclaimed Africa’s Rapper #1 kept the momentum going.
Superstar entertainer, 2face, unleashed a flurry of excitement as overjoyed fans stormed the stage to get a closer look at the celebrated performer.
2face who joined M.I in the last few minutes of the former’s performance, took over the stage with his live band and eclectic dancers. He offered just what his fans were waiting for; a nostalgic combination of his old and new hits.
The crowd sang and danced, spurring the artiste on, as he performed his exciting medley such as Implication, Dance in the Rain, and Only Me.
The excitement had started in Nsukka the previous day, with a Pre-Trek gig at Jives Bar, Nsukka, hosted by Do2tun with special guest artiste, 2face. At that event, invited guests won exciting prizes such as TV sets, phones, and carpets from the brand.
Star Music Trek continues next weekend at the IBB Square, Makurdi, Benue State. Next on line are eight other cities, including Uyo (April, 12), Umuahia (April 19), Orlu (April 26), Ekwulobia (May 3), Onitsha Fegge (May 11), Benin (May 17), Ado Ekiti (May 24), and Lagos (May 31).
Newcastle coach Alan Pardew has revealed the secret behind Shola Ameobi’s first class performance in the Europa League tie against Metalist Thursday in Ukraine.
The former Reading, West Ham and Charlton Athletic coach, who described the Nigerian as an impressive player capable of changing the course of a game, said he had a private discussion with the Super Eagles forward before the match, mandating him to up his game as that will produce the needed result for the club.
He expressed delight that Ameobi rose to the occassion when it mattered most.
“I had a little quiet word with Shola before the game because, in the last few weeks, I thought his contribution could have been greater,” Pardew added.
“But he’s shown tonight what quality he has. Against this team, I always thought he might influence the game. He did that all night really and it bodes well moving forward.”
Ameobi who made impressive runs in the match finally sealed his effort when he converted a second half penalty to earn his 15th goal in European competition and fire the Magpies into the last 16.
The Magpies arrived in Ukraine after being held to a 0-0 draw on Tyneside last week, with a disadvantage posed by the illness of midfielder Cheick Tiote.
Ameobi’s show was however enough to lift the gloom on Pardew’s worries over an ever-growing list of injury concerns. A crucial visit of Southampton now awaits as Pardew prepares to face his old club.
He said: “We had some real heroes today and it’s been a great week for us. We just need to repeat it on Sunday because that will be an important game.
“It could give us some breathing space in the Premier League, so we need to recover quickly. There will be changes for Sunday and hopefully we will get a result.”
WITH over 15 performances from some of the biggest artistes in the country, the Lagos Crossover Concert held at the Eko Atlantic City on the eve of the New Year ushered in 2013 in grand style.
It was a spectacular event, with gave the Bar Beach arena an unusual festive look. Fun seekers and fans of the artistes that were earlier publicized for the show had thronged the venue hours before the show commenced. The crowd was unprecedented, especially at a period when many faithful took to the church.
Organized by the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA), and sponsored by Star lager beer, a premium brand of Nigerian Breweries Plc, the show went down as one of the biggest concerts of the year.
Top artistes who took turns to perform at the show included Tuface Idibia, Iyanyan, Olamide, Davido, Banky W, Tiwa Sawage,Omawunmi, D’Prince , MI, Brymo, Dare and W4. There was also scintillating performances from other artistes including the 2012 winners of Star Quest, Crystals, Kel, Solid Star, DRB, Tunde Ednut, Orezi, Omo Akin, Pheel, Reminiscence, Eva, Flow Sick amongst others. The event also had the trio of I.k of the Big Brother Africa fame, Quest and Oreyi Keyo as anchors.
The show was the climax of 10 days celebration at the Star Mega City which also saw upcoming music acts and comedians thrilling fun seekers.
The entire length of Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island was taken over by human and vehicular traffic. The event turned out to be a roll call of the biggest acts of 2012 as the stars treated the revelers to their hit songs.
Tuface Idibia took the audience through some of his old tracks like African Queen to the more recent ones like Ihe ne me. The crowd simply couldn’t get enough of him. All too soon, the crooner left the stage to a rousing applause. Olamide did three songs, but they were certainly enough to get the audience out of their seats, and so were the performances by other acts.
High point of the event was the fireworks display to herald the New Year. It was certainly a spectacle to behold as the night was lit up by the brilliant display.
Speaking on the event, the corporate adviser of Nigeria Breweries described the Lagos Crossover Concert as one of the memorable moments of 2012 as well as 2013. “What we have is surely one of the memorable moments of 2012 and 2013. We believe so much in Lagos and Nigeria and that was why we decided to throw our full weight behind Lagos State and LASAA when they came up with this idea,” he stated.
He said his company’s partnership with LASAA was a worthy venture that has put Lagos State in the global map, because everybody knows Star as a global brand that advocates fun and friendship.
