The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has said it’s engagement with music star, Afeez Adeshina Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley is to encourage him to use his skills and platforms to put out content that will discourage millions of his followers and Nigerian youths from substance abuse and not an appointment as NDLEA Ambassador.
This was disclosed by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director for Media and Advocacy in a press statement.
Babafemi explained that the artiste had led members of his team on Thursday 17th August, 2023 on a visit to the National Headquarters of the Agency in Abuja to express his preparedness to join the fight against drug abuse in the country and this clarification became necessary following continued misrepresentation of the purpose of the visit.
“Some online platform reports suggests the British-Nigerian singer was appointed as an NDLEA Ambassador.This is 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”.
” 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”.
Babafemi pointed that the approach is in line with the whole society approach to fight against drug abuse and Naira Marley is given the chance because he has turned a new leaf after serious counseling from the agency.
“This is in line with the Agency’s whole society approach to fight against drug abuse and in tune with global best practice as well as the theme for this year’s World Drug Day; People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention “.
“When an artiste, who professes marijuana is good to seven million followers turns a new leaf after some serious counselling ,do we reject him and allow him continue in his old habit or we accept him, give him the chance so he can reach out to his followers to quit substance abuse”.
“This is no time for mischief or cynicism but the right moment we all need to encourage the singer and hold him accountable to his public commitment against substance abuse in his video message to his followers in the overall interest of our youths”. Babafemi said.
