Mixed reactions trail Naira Marley’s Abuja concert

By Taiwo Okanlawon

Nigerians are calling for the arrest of musician, Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley, and a former Big Brother Naija housemate, Kim Oprah over Abuja concert held on Saturday despite COVID-19 gathering restrictions amid rising coronavirus cases in the country.

The event which was meant to be a “drive-in concert”, held at Jabi Lake Mall Car Park was organized by Play Network Africa, Traffic Bar, El’Carnival, and sponsored by Glenfiddich with tickets sold between the prices of N20,000 and N250,000.

In a trending video, excited Fans took no notice of the social distancing rule as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), because there was a large number of people at the venue and a few had their PPE’s(Personal Protection Equipments).

Similarly, Naira Marley and Kim Oprah were both seen alighting from a private plane at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja despite restrictions placed on air travels by the Presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBYyLE4DWf1/?utm_source=ig_embed

Many Nigerians have taken to social media to criticise the actions of Naira Marley.

They described the concert as a setback to Nigeria’s fight against the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Somebody approved the Naira Marley concert
2. Somebody approved the non-essential flight to Abuja
3. Somebody approved a bottle of hard liquor per ticket
4. Somebody didn’t stop the concert when it lost control
6. Somebody should be sacked this morning…if somebody is serious

— Dr Joe Abah, OON (@DrJoeAbah) June 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/Mistakobz/status/1272072059774996480?s=20

https://twitter.com/heisTactic/status/1272099673575174145?s=20

This unfortunate concert by Naira Marley was put together by Play Network Africa, Traffic Bar, El'Carnival and was proudly sponsored by Glenfiddich.

Silverbird Entertainment Centre was the venue while Nairabox and Ariiya sold the tickets.

There, you have your Covidiots! https://t.co/A8K347Vfy8

— Demola Of Lagos 𓃵 (@OmoGbajaBiamila) June 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/lollypeezle/status/1272097770858561537?s=20

https://twitter.com/_chukkysmiles/status/1272121811002691584?s=20

https://twitter.com/OgbeniDipo/status/1272084638194896898?s=20

https://twitter.com/sisimiaa/status/1272082157129945088?s=20

Pls @hadisirika investigate the domestic flight that brought Naira Marley to Abuja. Was the flight for humanitarian / pharmaceutical issues @FAAN_Official . We need explanation .

— Woye (@woye1) June 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/Al_ameen_Yabo/status/1272163233823100928?s=20

https://twitter.com/DehkunleA/status/1272111129733578752?s=20

I know Naira Marley stays in Lagos and not Abuja. How did he fly to Abuja when there’s still a travel ban in Nigeria?

— Mazi Olisaemeka C. ™ (@OlisaOsega) June 14, 2020

So KimOprah hosted Naira Marley’s concert yesterday but will be wearing nose masks at bbnaija reunion. Interesting 🤔

— A…R…I…Z…O…N…A (@_MzJayde) June 14, 2020

So Naira Marley is just using Naija Govt to rub it upandan?? Something wey dem no born am well to try even in Rwanda… nawa o! 🤔

— Olufunke Lawson (@bravefacefunkie) June 14, 2020