Covid-19 Update for Mon, 6 April

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has denied any direct association with actress Funke Akindele who is being charged to court for violating the rule on large social gatherings during Covid-19 lockdown in Lagos State.

The creator of the popular “Jenifa’s Diary,” a TV comedy series, was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command after she posted an online video to advertise the large party she threw for her husband’s birthday.

Apparently responding to the actress’s supporters who pleaded that she be pardoned as a brand ambassador of NCDC’s campaign against the spread of the virus, the Agency in a tweet this morning said it has no social or business connection with the actress and producer.

“As an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, NCDC has not engaged brand ambassadors as part of our response to #COVID!9,” the agency tweeted in reply to an explanation from @DettolNigeria.

“We continue to emphasize that all Nigerians maintain #socialdistancing to prevent the spread of #COVID19,” NCDC said.

Funke Akindele is a brand ambassador of @DettolNigeria, a company that has partnered with the NCDC to provide services, including health-related messages.

Dettol Nigeria has used Akindele to publicise some of its Covid-19 messages, hence the perception that she must be NCDC’s brand ambassador.

Although Dettol has not indicated it will fire the popular actress, the brand has come out forcefully against her and her action.

While expressing concern at the turn of events, Dettol said that as a responsible organisation and brand, it “does not condone any breach of the guidelines on Covid19.

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