Coronavirus: NCDC, Dettol disown Funke Akindele as brand ambassador

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Funke Akindele

Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and Dettol Nigeria have disowned Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele as their brand ambassador for hosting a birthday party despite lockdown in Lagos aimed at controlling the spread of Coronavirus.

Akindele was arrested by the police for violating restriction orders in Lagos on Sunday.

The actress hosted an in-house party in her Amen Estate on Saturday to mark the birthday of her husband, Abdul Rasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skillz.

Some celebrities, such as Naira Marley were in attendance.

Many social media users said her action is more condemnable as she is an ambassador of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Federal Government agency coordinating the nation’s response to the coronavirus.

Akindele had appeared in an advert for NCDC and Dettol, calling on Nigerians to observe social distancing and hygiene.

However, NCDC, in a tweet on Sunday said as an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it had not engaged brand ambassadors as part of its response to COVID-19.

“We continue to emphasise that all Nigerians maintain  social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” it said.

Also, Dettol Nigeria on its twitter page 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.”