Infinix Nigeria has released a statement over a controversial billboard that has been circulating across the internet. The board read “Say no to lesbianism, homosexuality and drug abuse” and is located at the Abuja Campus of the University of Port Harcourt.
Many internet users went on social media to call out the telephone brand on endorsing messages that can incite violence against members of the LGBT community.
The Rustin Times Contributor Peter Okeugo voiced his concerns in a series of tweets.
So I’m gradually having the reputation of someone who calls out Brands and Organizations for discrimination and abuse of human rights. Today, it’s @InfinixNigeria for this ad/campaign which paints a bad image of #LGBT+ people in #Nigeria. I call out injustice when I see it. pic.twitter.com/PPXfWwGiPa
— Peter Okeugo (@rolly987) November 13, 2018
This is a #thread. When a global organization such as @InfinixNigeria resorts to this sort of discrimination to sell its product/brand, that organization needs to “close shop” and re-evaluate its policies. It’s almost 2019. Global organizations are becoming more inclusive.
— Peter Okeugo (@rolly987) November 13, 2018
#LGBT people may be the largest target/audience you have in Nigeria. Have you considered that @InfinixNigeria? Also, have you heard about the Economic/Development Impact of Homophobia such as the one your organization has just fueled? Don’t you have access to these reports?
— Peter Okeugo (@rolly987) November 13, 2018
Other users also shared their disdain for the ad.
Really ?? @InfinixNigeria you ran out of ideas and homophobia is all you could churn ,for your information loads of #lgbt persons in Nigeria where this signboard is, are infinix users, and you think it’s right to say rubbish about your customers. @bisialimi @RevJide @NoStringsNG pic.twitter.com/cjJUkUgPr6
— Queer nerd (@Queernerd001) November 12, 2018
So, @InfinixNigeria is out here sponsoring hateful and homophobic billboards. A whole billboard. Shame. pic.twitter.com/J9gEb6M0ku
— phidelia (@ThePhidelia_) November 13, 2018
Dear @InfinixNigeria please can you explain what your logo is doing on this billboard around university of Port Harcourt in Nigeria? This is a blatant display of #homophobia pic.twitter.com/e4pQkMVMCr
— Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi (@bisialimi) November 12, 2018
So @InfinixNigeria is sponsoring anti-gay ads across Nigerian varsities. While this is a shameful & unprofessional thing for an entity that calls itself a global brand to do, it further endangers LGBT+ people in Nigeria. I say #BoycottInfinix and #fuckInfinix #HomophobicInfinix pic.twitter.com/QXVDEjDr6d
— PrinceJacon Osinachi (@Prince_Jacon) November 13, 2018
However, Infinix Nigeria released a statement on Twitter, denying any knowledge of the billboard.
Our attention has been drawn to an unauthorized use of the infinix logo somewhere in Nigeria.
Infinix Mobility had no knowledge of the usage of that material and our core focus remains delivering intelligent smartphone solutions to the Nigeria mobile consumer— Infinix Nigeria (@InfinixNigeria) November 13, 2018
Following the release of the statement, users have asked that the phone brand takes action to ensure that the billboard is pulled down and issue an apology to Nigeria’s LGBT community.
This statement from @InfinixNigeria, while welcomed, fall far short of an apology. #LGBT people in #Nigeria are citizen of the country and they use your mobile phones as well and this is not a way treat a customer. We demand and apology pic.twitter.com/146LnP82Fk
— Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi (@bisialimi) November 13, 2018
How come a global mobile phone like @InfinixNigeria allowed itself to become a vehicle of #homophobia? And why is @iam_Davido silent about this issue, considering he is their brand ambassador?
— Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi (@bisialimi) November 13, 2018
@InfinixNigeria this statement isn’t enough. Telling us there was an unauthorized use of your logo is not enough. All we see is your logo on that billboard. We demand an apology. Also, issue an order for those billboards to be taken down. That’s the action we want to see. pic.twitter.com/aPZCfAGxg1
— Peter Okeugo (@rolly987) November 13, 2018
You have the resources to pull down that sign post. Merely saying that the message was unauthorized is simply not enough. If someone were using your logo to do business, I’m sure you would be quick to take it down. Please DO SOMETHING.
— Rapum Kambili (@finbar_omalu) November 13, 2018
Not enough. Please reach out to the school authority! Just in case you are wondering where the logo was used, it is around the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Make moves to pull it down and the LGBT community deserves an apology Cc: @InfinixMobility pic.twitter.com/oP0gsAaapS
— THEDI Nigeria (@thediNigeria) November 13, 2018
And what will you do about it?
Tell us what you’ll do about it because if this goes viral. It will hurt your brand more than you can ever imagine.
— CHUKΛ (@artistchuka) November 13, 2018
Homophobia is commonplace in Nigeria and sometimes can lead to violence and arrests of members of the community.
UPDATE:
DanPheonix on Twitter brought it to our attention that Infinix had deleted the statement. James Lantern provided an update.
They deleted the rebuttal statement and pulled down the billboards
— JAMES (@JamesLantern2) November 13, 2018
