Dettol, NCDC deny Funke Akindele as brand ambassador

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Dettol have denied Nollywood actress Funke Akindele popularly as Jenifa, as its brand ambassador.

Funke Akindele was arrested on Sunday by Lagos police command for violating the social dancing directive issued by the Federal government and Lagos state government to be able to contain the spread of coronavirus. Funke violated the directive by hosting a house party in honour of her husband on Saturday.

The Nollywood star had appeared in adverts for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Dettol, urging Nigerians to observe social distancing and good hygiene.

Vanguard learnt that the NCDC partnered with Dettol on a public service message to educate communities about preventive measures against COVID-19.

After a video of the birthday vent viral on social media, Nigerians on Twitter, Instagram who thought Funke was an ambassador of the brands called on NCDC and Dettol to terminate their contracts with her for violating an order that’s meant to manage the spread of coronavirus.

However, while reacting to issue on Sunday evening, NCDC took to its Twitter handle to announce that the centre has not engaged brand ambassadors as part of response to 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″

Dettol also Twitted, saying that as a responsible organization and brand, it does not condone any breach of the guidelines on COVID-19, hence, Funke is not an ambassador of NCDC.

“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.

“As a responsible organization and brand Dettol does not condone any breach of the guidelines on Covid-19. “As an organization we are concerned at the turn of events.

We will continue to support NCDC and the Nigerian govt to fight COVID-19 “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”.

– Vanguard