August 19, (THEWILL) – Controversial singer, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, has been unveiled as an ambassador for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
Marley, known as the president of his controversial fan base, ‘Marlians,’ and a known smoker of weed, declared his support for their campaign tagged ‘War against Drug Abuse’.
The singer pledged his support to fight against the use of drugs among youths.
The singer visited the NDLEA office, where he declared support for the war against drug abuse.
Naira Marley’s appointment comes over a year after he tweeted that no one should be in prison for weed.
Marley said, “My people, this is Naira Marley; I’ll urge all my fans and the youths in Nigeria to stop doing drugs because it is not good for your well-being. Let us stop substances of any form. I’ve keyed into this campaign to support NDLEA to stop street drugs. Please join us. Drugs make you go back into crime,” he added.
Following Marley’s support against drug abuse in collaboration with NDLEA, many mixed reactions have trailed the social media space. Critics dug out old photos of Naira Marley glamorising marijuana.
Revealing why it chose Naira Marley as its ambassador, the agency spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said they intentionally enlisted him as an advocacy engagement with him.
“It is what we do as part of the responsibilities of the agency to promote advocacy messages that would discourage people from substance abuse. It is about the message. Don’t forget that he has a lot of young followers, ‘Marlians’ that look up to him. The idea is for the leader of the movement (Marlians) to come out and ask people to stop substance abuse and live a new life.”
The drug agency’s spokesperson also noted that using Marley as an advocate did not mean that the agency won’t arrest him if he was caught with illegal substances.
He said, “Last year, we arrested some of his artistes (Zinoleesky and Mohbad). That is to show that we are not closing our eyes. If the same Naira Marley is caught with illicit substances tomorrow, he will face sanctions.”
Babafemi added that critics should consider the message and not focus on the messenger.
