The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has denied appointing singer Naira Marley as its ambassador, contrary to some online reports.
In a recent meeting between Naira Marley and the Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, the primary objective was to encourage the artist to leverage his influence and platforms to create content that discourages substance abuse among his numerous followers and Nigerian youths.
In an official statement issued by NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the agency emphasized the purpose of the meeting and the intent behind involving Naira Marley in their advocacy efforts.
The statement acknowledged the ongoing misrepresentation of the visit’s purpose, especially on online platforms, where some reports inaccurately suggested that the British-Nigerian artist had been appointed as an NDLEA Ambassador.
NDLEA made it clear that the meeting aimed to harness Naira Marley’s substantial following, which exceeds 7million individuals, to spread anti-substance abuse messages.
The agency highlighted the significance of reaching out to a sizable portion of the population that is vulnerable to drug abuse, and saw Naira Marley’s potential as a powerful ally in this endeavor.
The statement reads;
“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 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.
“its decision 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 is to create a balance between our drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
“This is also in line with the Agency’s whole of society approach to the 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 that marijuana is good to seven million followers, turns a new leaf after some serious counselling, do we reject him, turn our back to him and allow him continue in his old habit or we accept him, give him a chance so he can reach out to his followers to quit substance abuse?
“In other words, why should we take our anti-drug abuse advocacy messages to schools, churches, mosques, market places, motor parks, Nollywood, kannywood, traditional rulers, labour 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 on. 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 to his public commitment against substance abuse in his video message to his followers in the overall interest of our youths.”
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