The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has denied news making rounds that actress Funke Akindele is an ambassador of the agency.
The actress who was arrested by the Police for hosting a house party was viewed by many as the agency’s ambassador.
This is because she has been the face of Dettol Nigeria/NCDC campaigns promoting social distancing in the country.
Funke Akindele was arrested for violating the government-ordered lockdown and ban on large gatherings after she hosted a celebrity-studded house party in honour of her husband, JJC Skillz, on Saturday.
Reacting to the news of the actress as a brand ambassador, the NCDC said on its verified Twitter account on Sunday that the agency had no connection with the actress as a ‘brand ambassador’.
“As an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, NCDC has not engaged brand ambassadors as part of our response to COVID-19. We continue to emphasise that all Nigerians maintain social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID,” it wrote
Meanwhile, DettolNigeria, which contracted Funkẹ as their brand ambassador, has condemned the actress’ misconduct.
“We have been made aware through social media that Funke Akindele recently, acting in her personal capacity, had a celebration which is against the caution to the public on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.
“The NCDC partnered with Dettol on a public service message to educate our communities about preventive measures against COVID-19. Funke is not a brand ambassador of the NCDC.”
The company frowned at the breach of order regarding COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a responsible organisation and brand, Dettol does not condone any breach of the guidelines on COVID-19.”
As an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, NCDC has not engaged brand ambassadors as part of our response to #COVID19
We continue to emphasise that all Nigerians maintain #socialdistancing to prevent the spread of #COVID19#StayHomeStaySafe https://t.co/jPquFV2Y9u
— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 5, 2020
The company did not, however, state if it would take any action on its partnership with the actress.
