The African Council on Narcotics (ACON) has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to suspend Azeez Adeshina Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, as its ambassador pending the conclusion of an investigation into the death of the young Nigerian musical icon, Ilerioluwa Oladimeni Aloba, also known as Mohbad.
ACON emphasized the importance of carefully profiling brand ambassadors to ensure they represent the brand positively and untainted. According to ACON President, Rekpene Bassey, the appointment of a brand ambassador should reflect a positive image for the brand.
This advice comes in light of the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death on September 12, 2023, and the suspicion that it may have been caused by forced ingestion of deadly substances. The Nigeria Police has initiated a special homicide inquest into the matter, including the exhumation of Mohbad’s remains for autopsy and the interrogation of several individuals connected to the case.
Bassey questioned the rationale behind Naira Marley’s appointment as an ambassador for the NDLEA, considering the alleged connection between him and Mohbad’s death. He noted that Naira Marley’s public conduct and the behavior of his followers, known as “Marlians,” are not in alignment with the NDLEA’s mission to combat drug abuse and related issues.
In conclusion, ACON called on the NDLEA to temporarily suspend Naira Marley’s ambassadorship to avoid sending the wrong message to the youth and to ensure that brand ambassadors reflect the agency’s values. They also urged government agencies to be meticulous in their selection of brand ambassadors to maintain a positive image.
