He doesn’t represent us – United Nations reacts to petition against Dbanj over alleged rape

The United Nations has dissociated itself from the purported ambassadorial appointment of embattled music artiste Oladapo Adebanjo aka D’banj.

Since the singer was accused of rape by Seyitan Babatayo, some Nigerians have created an online petition to call on the United Nations and other organisations to severe ties with him.

The online petition asking the United Nations to remove him as a Youth Ambassador has garnered over 24,000 signatures.

E. Popoola who started the petition also asked other brands associated with D’banj to severe ties with him.

Popoola wrote on the page: “We also call the attention of brands such as Heritage Bank Africa, One Africa, CSA Global and other establishments associated with Mr. Oyebanjo to end their commercial relationship with him and stand in support of victims of sexual violence.”

However, the United Nations in an email responding to Neusroom’s inquiry said the embattled artiste does not represent the organisation.

“I would like to confirm that the said Mr. Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo aka D’Banj is NOT a UN Ambassador, and therefore, has nothing to do with the United Nations,” the National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria, Dr Oluseyi Soremekun wrote.

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“He does not represent the UN in any way,” he added.

In 2007, it was widely reported that D’banj was appointed as UN Youth Ambassador for Peace and he also engaged in a series of activities at that time to promote peace in accordance with his role as a “Youth Ambassador for Peace”.

That year, he led a rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to promote peace at a time when there was unrest in the State due to militancy.