NDLEA and Naira Marley The management of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has unveiled the reason behind its recent engagement with British-Nigerian music star, Afeez Adeshina Fashola who is popularly known as Naira Marley.
According to the NDLEA, its engagement with Naira Marley which has generated unfavorable reactions from the public is said to be a tip to encourage him (Naira Marley) to use his skills and platforms to put out content that will discourage millions of his followers and Nigerian youths from substance abuse.
Recall that on Thursday, Naira Marley was sighted at the National headquarters of the NDLEA, taking a photo with the Chairman of the Agency, Buba Marwa. At the end of the meeting, Naira Marley was quoted to have decided to work with the agency in waging war against drug abuse, the decision that sparked critical reactions which flashed negativity on the image of the NDLEA.
The meeting generated unfavorable reactions from the public because Naira Marley is known for promoting bad habits, of all forms including drug abuse. The character he had exhibited in his music videos, music lyrics, and social media pages.
"This clarification became necessary following continued misrepresentation of the purpose of the visit especially on online platforms where some reports suggest that the British-Nigerian singer was appointed as an NDLEA Ambassador. This is a misleading and absolute falsehood as the pictures of the visit and the short video containing Naira Marley’s advocacy message to his followers were properly captioned and shared by the Agency without any suggestion of such appointment," NDLEA Director of Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi stated.
Speaking further, the agency stated that "the decision by the Agency to encourage Naira Marley with over seven million followers, half the population of those who abuse drugs in Nigeria, use his platform share anti-substance abuse messages as against using same to promote and glamourize drug abuse with the dire consequence of misleading millions of Nigerian youths into their peril, is to create a balance between our drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
In other words, why should we take our anti-drug abuse advocacy messages to schools, churches, mosques, marketplaces, motor parks, Nollywood, Kannywood, traditional rulers, labor, and the entertainment industry but when one of their members accepts to turn a new leaf, we turn our back to him? These are questions those opposed to Naira Marley’s needed change may have to ponder.
Femi Babafemi stated that "indeed, no one is better suited to take the message against drug abuse to the Marlians than the head of the same movement. This is no time for mischief or cynicism but the right moment we all need to encourage the singer and hold him accountable for his public commitment against substance abuse in his video message to his followers in the overall interest of our youths.
Category: World-News
Tag: NDLEA Naira Marley
Written by Omooba Alekuwodo (omoobaalekuwodo)
Published 8/19/2023 11:37:38 PM