NDLEA Appointed Singer Naira Marley As Ambassador? – Fact Emerge

NDLEA Appointed Singer Naira Marley As Ambassador? – Fact Emerge

Azeez Fashola, widely recognized by his professional moniker Naira Marley, has reportedly been designated as an ambassador for Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), as indicated in a circulating Facebook post since August 17, 2023.

Naira Marley, renowned for his role as a singer and songwriter, has delivered hits like “Issa Goal” (2017), “Opotoyi (Marlians)” (2019), and “Koleyewon” (2020).

The NDLEA holds the responsibility for shaping Nigeria’s drug policies.

On August 17th, Naira Marley paid a visit to the agency’s headquarters to express his support for its anti-drug campaign.

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While Naira Marley has sometimes found himself in controversy, and some of his associates have faced arrests by the NDLEA due to illegal drug possession, he has also been filmed smoking cigarettes in his videos.

In May 2019, Naira Marley, along with four others, was apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on charges of alleged internet fraud.

A Facebook post asserts: “Niger my country. Una cruize no too much? Yesterday Popular Nigeria artist by name Naira Marley was appointed the new Ambassador of NDLEA. Congratulations to u boss.”

The message has been shared on Facebook here, here, here, here and here.

However, on August 19, 2023, the NDLEA refuted this claim on X (formerly Twitter).

In an official statement signed by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s director for media and advocacy, the NDLEA clarified that their collaboration with Naira Marley aimed to leverage his social media influence in discouraging his followers and young individuals in Nigeria from engaging in substance abuse.

The NDLEA emphasized that the assertion of Naira Marley’s appointment was misleading and entirely false.

They stated that the images from the visit and the brief video containing Naira Marley’s advocacy message to his followers were shared by the agency without any insinuation of such an appointment.

Credit: Africa Check