Naira Marley’s Appointment As NDLEA’s Ambassador Is Denied By NDLEA

Naira Marley’s appointment as NDLEA’s ambassador Is Denied By NDLEA

Contrary to several online rumours, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has rejected designating singer Naira Marley as its ambassador.

The main goal of a recent meeting between Naira Marley and the agency’s chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, was to persuade the artist to use his platforms and influence to produce content that deters substance usage among his large fan base and Nigerian youths.

The NDLEA emphasized the goal of the meeting and the motivation behind include Naira Marley in their advocacy efforts in a formal statement released by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.

The statement recognised the persistent misrepresentation of the visit’s objective, particularly online where some sources falsely claimed the British-Nigerian musician had been named an NDLEA Ambassador.

The meeting’s purpose, as stated by NDLEA, was to exploit Naira Marley’s enormous fan base—which numbers more than 7 million people—to disseminate anti-substance addiction messages.

The organisation stressed the importance of engaging a sizable segment of the community that is at risk for drug usage and recognized Naira Marley’s potential as a valuable ally in this effort. The declaration 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.

– NDLEA

TL;DR

In summary, this is what the NDLEA have said regarding the above issue.

Naira Marley, a British-Nigerian singer, has been urged to share anti-substance abuse messages on his platform, despite being accused of being appointed as an NDLEA Ambassador. The agency aims to create a balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts, aligning with global best practice and the theme for World Drug Day. However, critics question whether to reject Marley’s change or accept his newfound commitment to the cause. The agency believes that Marley is better suited to convey the message against drug abuse to the Marlians, and that it is time to hold him accountable for his public commitment.

– Statements Issued by NDLEA