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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has clarified that singer Naira Marley has not been appointed as its ambassador. This comes after a recent meeting between Naira Marley and the Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa.
In a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, it was explained that the purpose of the meeting was to urge Naira Marley to utilize his talents and platforms to create content that discourages his vast number of followers and Nigerian youths from engaging in substance abuse.
The statement reads:
“This clarification is necessary due to the ongoing misrepresentation of the visit’s purpose, particularly on online platforms, where some reports inaccurately suggest that the British-Nigerian singer was appointed as an NDLEA Ambassador. This is entirely untrue, as the agency shared images and a brief video of the visit, where Naira Marley conveyed his advocacy message to his followers. However, there was no indication of any such appointment.
The agency’s decision to motivate Naira Marley, who boasts over seven million followers – equivalent to half the number of drug abusers in Nigeria – to employ his platform for sharing anti-substance abuse messages aligns with our dual efforts of reducing both drug supply and demand. This approach mirrors the agency’s comprehensive strategy in combating drug abuse, in line with global best practices, as well as the theme for this year’s World Drug Day: ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.’
When an artist who previously endorsed marijuana to his seven million followers undergoes a positive transformation following substantial counseling, should we shun him, disregard his progress, and allow him to persist in his former habits? Alternatively, should we extend our support, offer him an opportunity, and empower him to guide his followers away from substance abuse?
In essence, why do we extend our anti-drug advocacy to schools, religious institutions, markets, transportation hubs, the entertainment industry, and various other sectors, but hesitate when a member of the entertainment industry seeks to amend their ways? These are pertinent questions that those opposing Naira Marley’s path to change ought to reflect upon. In truth, nobody is better suited to disseminate the anti-drug abuse message to Marlians than the leader of the Marlian movement himself.
Now is not the time for misinterpretation or skepticism; instead, it is a critical juncture that requires us all to rally behind the singer, while also holding him accountable for his public commitment against substance abuse, as articulated in his video message to his followers. This collective effort is fundamentally aimed at safeguarding the well-being of our youth.”
