The United Nations has denied rumors alleging that Oladapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’Banj, is a United Nations Youth Ambassador for Peace.
The Director of Information, United Nations Information Centre for Nigeria, Joseph Kayanja, confirmed to PUNCH on Wednesday.
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.”
Recall that In 2012, D’Banj’s publicists announced that the musician was the first Nigerian to be appointed a UN Youth Ambassador for Peace.
Nearly 15,000 Nigerians have signed an online petition to strip Nigerian International Pop Star, D’Banj of his position as United Nations Ambassador for Peace.
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The petition read: “We call on the United Nations, and United Nations Women Africa organisations to remove Nigerian artiste Mr Dapo Oyebanjo as a youth ambassador and distance themselves from his actions following the sponsored kidnap of Seyitan who accused D’Banj of rape and sexual assault which happened in 2018.
“Women in Nigeria are increasingly at risk of sexual violence and the United Nations and United Nations Women Africa as an entity committed to the empowerment of women should not be seen to associate themselves with alleged rapists, abusers, and kidnappers.
“We ask the United Nations and United Nations Women Africa to support and lend their influence in helping Seyitan get justice for the abuse she endured in 2018 and the harassment and bullying in the past weeks.”
The petitioners also called for other brands to end their endorsement of D’Banj and stand in support of victims of sexual assault.