News Shared on Time is News Heard !

Equities Market Rises by N70bn as BUA, MTNN Rally

The Nigerian equities market gained more than N70 billion on the first trading session in the new week as the market price of BUA Cement plc, MTN Nigeria Plc share jumped. 

The positive price movement in these two bellwethers pushed the Nigerian Exchange index higher by +0.18%. Boosting key performance indicators, the trading result indicated that Alpha seekers took positions in MTNN, and BUACEMENT ahead of fourth quarter earnings. Consequently, the year-to-date return advanced to 39.84%.

Due to buying momentum, the market index or All-Share Index increased by 128.17 basis points today, representing a rise of +0.18% to close at 71,669.91, stockbrokers said.

However, market activities slipped as the total volume and total value traded dropped by -25.51% and -46.53% respectively.  In its market note, Atlass Portfolios Limited said approximately 375.32 million units valued at ₦3,853.49 million were transacted in 7,011 deals.

VERITASKAP was the most traded stock in terms of volume, accounting for 23.88% of the total volume of trades, followed by UNIVINSURE (11.93%), ACCESSCORP (8.16%), FIDELITYBK (6.38%), and UBA (3.46%) to complete the top 5 on the volume chart.

ACCESSCORP was the most traded stock in value terms, with 16.01% of the total value of trades on the exchange.  ETI topped the advancers’ chart with a price appreciation of 9.88 per cent.

The Pan African lender was trailed by DEAPCAP (9.84%), SCOA (+9.63%), INFINITY (+9.60%), UPL (+8.94%), and twenty-four others.

Twenty-two stocks depreciated, according to stockbrokers’ notes. RTBRISCOE was the top loser, with a price depreciation of -9.68%. Also leading the loser chart were: NSLTECH (-9.33%), NEM (-9.32%), NNFM (-8.44%), MECURE (-7.69%), and JAIZBANK (-3.13%).

Given the trading pattern, the market breadth closed positive, recording 29 gainers and 22 losers. Data from the Nigerian Exchange showed that market sector performance was positive, as three of the five major market sectors closed in the green.

The banking sector grew by +1.59%, followed by the Industrial sector which grew by +0.21%. The Consumer goods sector grew by +0.03%, while the Insurance sector was down by -0.21%. The Oil and gas sector closed flat.

Overall, the equities market jumped higher by ₦70.14 billion, representing a growth of +0.18%, to close at ₦39.22 trillion from ₦39.15 trillion last Friday. Equities Market Rises by N70bn as BUA, MTNN Rally Naira Devaluation Deepens Economic Crisis in Nigeria
The post Equities Market Rises by N70bn as BUA, MTNN Rally appeared first on Nairalaw.com.

By Nigeria

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.