Naira Marley, the well-known Nigerian artist also known as Azeez Fashola, has offered advice to young people about avoiding drug use.
The singer’s counsel comes across as ironic to many, given his history of promoting drug usage and other controversial behaviours in his music and online presence.
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Naira Marley shared his message during a meeting with the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa. Despite his own previous associations with drug-related content, he emphasized the negative impact of drug consumption on people’s health and even the potential for leading to criminal behaviour.
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The artist, known for his songs like “Am I A Yahoo Boy,” visited the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja and acknowledged the dangers of substance abuse in a widely-circulated video. This apparent shift in stance has sparked conversations online due to the contrast between his current advocacy against drugs and his past associations with drug-themed content.
“You know who it is, it’s your boy Naira Marley, I’ll like to urge my fans – Marlians and all Nigerian youths to stop doing drugs because it’s not good for your well-being. Stop substance abuse of any form; I’ve keyed into this campaign to support the NDLEA to stop drugs on the streets. It’s not good, it makes you go back to doing crime.,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said; “See who’s on board @ndlea_nigeria War Against Drug Abuse advocacy campaign; it’s your favourite, Naira Marley.”
See the video below:
Video: Naira Marley tells Nigerian youths to stop taking drugs, says it's not good for their well-being pic.twitter.com/p6XT46Dl84
— Journalist KC (@kc_journalist) August 17, 2023
Netizens react
@Theduke: “That’s ironic 😼”
@Saucere: “Them go say Ignore the messenger Get the Message 😹😭. Una no fit invite Aproko doctor”
@POE: “This reminds me of Olamide moniepoint advert”
@Yobo: “This right here must be a prank. Why @officialnairam1 come dey prank us like this naa? ko daa to”
@Thisismoyole: “So this is all he have to say and still checking from his phone Sheyb them talk say na first class graduate😹😹😹😹”