The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has provided clarification regarding its decision to involve the controversial artiste Azeez Fashola, widely known as Naira Marley, in its advocacy campaign against drug abuse.
Femi Babafemi, the agency’s spokesperson, explained that the deliberate inclusion of Naira Marley is aimed at tackling the problem of drug abuse among young people.
This move has been met with criticism due to Naira Marley’s past associations with promoting drug abuse, leading to discussions on the effectiveness of this advocacy approach.
Babafemi, in an interview with Saturday Beats, stated, “Our engagement with him is centered around advocacy. It falls within the agency’s responsibilities to promote messages that discourage substance abuse. The focus is on the message itself.”
“It’s important to remember that he has a significant number of young followers—referred to as Marlians— who look up to him. The concept is for the leader of this group (Marlians) to step forward and urge people to renounce substance abuse and embrace a new lifestyle,” Babafemi further elaborated.
Babafemi also emphasized that Naira Marley’s role as an advocate doesn’t grant him immunity from legal consequences. He explained, “In the past year, we arrested some of his artists (Zinoleesky and Mohbad). This demonstrates our commitment to enforcement. If Naira Marley himself is apprehended with illegal substances, he will face penalties.”
Babafemi concluded by urging critics to focus on the message being conveyed rather than fixating on the messenger himself.
