A Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, is at the receiving end of a social media backlash over a recent comment he made on internet fraud with respect to slavery.
During an Instagram live session, the ‘Japa’ crooner urged Nigerians to pray for internet fraudsters (Yahoo boys) “as they are crucial to the circulation of money in the economy.”
“All you guys, all the money in your pockets, all the money you spend, you think it’s the government that is making the money go round? You better sit down and pray for yahoo boys. If dem stop yahoo, the money would not pass you guys,” he said.
“The money will go like this, from Obasanjo to Tinubu, from Tinubu to Mr Japa, you think me I need Yahoo? I make money from my music.”
The statement drew the ire of some Nigerian users on Twitter and they swarmed the social media platform to register their displeasure.
“Naira Marley is a disgraceful Nigerian specimen. Imagine publicly defending fraud and being daft to think Yahoo scams help the economy. When you travel and you are treated like a criminal for no reason just because you are Nigerian, you will realise the extent of this damage,” a Twitter user said.
“Naira Marley is not only a shame to the music industry but also a shame to Nigeria! This should not be taken lightly by the FG. There can never be any justification for ‘Yahoo’, it is illegal and should be curbed!” another user said.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
