The NDLEA has explained their decision to hire rapper Naira Marley for their anti-drug campaign.
On Thursday, August 17, Naira Marley came to the Agency's headquarters to show his support for the fight against drug misuse.
Pictures and footage of the musician meeting the agency's chief, Buba Marwa, were also made public.
Below is a video of him making a speech condemning drug use.
Many Nigerians, however, were not pleased with the agency's choice of Naira Marley to speak out against drug usage, given his long history of drug promotion and use.
Tonto Dikeh, a popular Nollywood actress, also took to the internet to express her displeasure with the organization for accepting the 32-year-old rapper as a spokesperson for their anti-drug campaign.
She expressed her dismay at the situation, saying, "This I must say is the biggest embarrassment from any government agency/drug law enforcement agency."
Agency spokesman Femi Babafemi told Saturday Beats exclusively that Naira Marley was selected due of his status as the head of the "Marlian movement."
He said,
“It is 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.”
Babafemi, however, noted that the singer’s advocacy doesn’t mean he is immune to the legal consequences of using drugs, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to enforcing drug laws.
He also mentioned the arrests of Zinoleesky and Mohbad, two of Naira Marley's accomplices from the previous year on drugs charges.
We had some of his musicians (Zinoleesky and Mohbad) imprisoned the year before. That will show that we are keeping our eyes open. He further warned that the same Naira Marley would face consequences should he be found in possession of illegal substances again tomorrow.