The United Nations has disassociated itself from multiple award winning Nigerian artiste, Oladapo Oyebanjo professionally known as D’Banj.
Recall that D’Banj was accused of rape by Seyitan Babatayo, a matter which has prompted the order of an investigation from the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
The Director of Information, United Nations Information Centre for Nigeria, Joseph Kayanja, made the revelation on Wednesday.
In 2012, D’Banj’s publicists had claimed that the musician was the first Nigerian to be appointed a UN Youth Ambassador for Peace.
Following the rape allegations leveled against D’Banj by Seyitan Babatayo, an online petition was started calling on the UN to strip the musician of the title. The petition on Change.org has been signed by over 22,000 people as of June 24, 2020.
Responding to an email inquiry, however, the UN revealed that D’Banj was never at any time given the title of ambassador by the UN, Punch reports.
The email read in part, “I would like to confirm that the said Mr. Oladapo Oyebanjo aka D’Banj is NOT a UN Ambassador. The title was accorded to him by an obscure UN youth association which has nothing to do with the United Nations. I hope this clarifies.” D’Banj who recently signed an endorsement deal with Heritage Bank to mark his 40th birthday, was reportedly relieved of the deal as he is currently a subject of police investigation.