By Dipo Olowookere
Some angry Nigerians have lashed out at Dettol and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) over the action of their respective brand ambassador, Funke Akindele, a well known actor in the country.
On Saturday, the actor and her music artiste husband, JJC Skills, threw a party to celebrate his birthday and few of their colleagues in the showbiz industry, Naira Marley and Eniola were among the guests sandwiched in their apartment.
One way, the video found its way to the internet and has been generating hot reactions from social media users, who described the action as reckless and irresponsible, especially in this period when the world is virtually under a lockdown due to the spread of coronavirus.
Many people have been asked by various governments of the world, including Nigeria, to stay at home and observe social distancing so as to curtail the spread of the virus.
More so, what got many angry was the fact that Funke Akindele was used by Dettol and NCDC to preach social distancing during this period, which she has violated.
Those who reacted to the video said if things were running well in Nigeria, she would have been dropped as their respective brand ambassador by now because of the shame she has brought to their brands.
“Dear NCDCgov, terminate ur relationship with @funkeakindele now. Funke and her husband have behaved irresponsibly and I call on other agencies to suspend any relationship with her. How can u organise such a party during COVID-19. @jidesanwoolu show urself here. Discipline her.”
“It’s actually disappointing when we see educated people act like illiterates. Imagine a NCDC ambassador who is aware of what’s right and still doing the opposite. Even if you don’t care about your own health, what about those that attended the party? Funke Akindele messed up mehn.”
“-NCDC Ambassador
-Dettol Ambassador
-Did two awareness videos on social distancing. Yet, Funke Akindele Invited Eniola Badmus and Naira Marley who returned from the UK into her house, as if that wasn’t enough, she threw a full house party. This level of recklessness is insane!”
“What Funke Akindele did has always been my concern with Nigerian celebrities ambassadorship deals. As an ambassador, you should live, preach & breath the essence of that brand. Same way some of them get signed as Infinix/Tecno ambassadors but end up flaunting iphones outside.”
“Dear @NCDCgov, Please I hope there’s a clause in the contract that Funke Akindele signed that spells punishment for the kind of idiocy she displayed yesterday hosting a house party despite being a NCDC ambassador. This is a total slap on the NCDC. Pls RT till NCDC acts on this.”
“An ambassador of GOOD HYGIENE hosted a party during this pandemic, invited Eniola who just arrived from UK to her home,& you still don’t believe that some devilish spirits are controlling D Nigeria celebrities. Funke Akindele & everyone in Dat house party are all S*upid & U*eless.”
The above are few of the numerous tweets posted by Nigerians who expressed their displeasure over the house party.
Meanwhile, after the backlash that followed the party, Funke Akindele reacted on her social media page, saying those who attended the event were from her Amen Estate in Lagos, adding that all those at the party are safe.
However, after her response, she deleted the post.
