The Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Eti-Osa, Lagos, Mrs. Veronica Abella, was absent on Monday when Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a corps member who recently criticized President Bola Tinubu over the country’s economic hardship, arrived at the NYSC office in response to an official summons.
News Round The Clock gathered that Uguamaye received a message instructing her to report to the NYSC office in Eti-Osa 3 by 10:00 a.m. on Monday without fail.
However, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, along with lawyers Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi, and Ojienoh Justice, accompanied her to the NYSC office, but Mrs. Abella did not show up.
Speaking on the situation, Sowore said:
“The journey with Uguamaye commenced in Lagos. She is scheduled to appear before the LGI today and we accompanied her to their office.
“We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI office of the National Youth Service Corps with the corps member. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys, Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi, and Ojienoh Justice, but LGI officials failed to show up throughout our stay. We will be back.”
Uguamaye has been trending on social media since her TikTok video, posted on March 15, 2025, went viral. In the video, she lamented Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, criticizing high inflation and the difficulty of achieving financial stability despite hard work.
She also called out President Tinubu, describing him as a “terrible leader” and questioning what his administration was doing to address citizens’ hardships.
ALSO READ
Following the video’s widespread attention, Uguamaye claimed she began receiving threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to delete the post. She later took to Instagram to express her disappointment, describing the alleged threats as an attempt to silence her, insisting that she had only spoken the truth.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has defended Uguamaye’s right to voice strong criticisms of Tinubu’s administration.
HURIWA emphasized that every Nigerian has the right to express opinions on governance without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
The group stated that fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression as outlined in Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, take precedence over NYSC bylaws.
According to HURIWA, the NYSC regulations do not override constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, including those of corps members. In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned any attempts to harass, intimidate, or threaten Uguamaye.
The organization stressed that corps members owe their loyalty to Nigeria as a nation, not to any individual occupying the office of the President.
“In accordance with Section 39(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, it is stipulated that ‘every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference,’” the statement read.
HURIWA urged NYSC authorities to reconsider any punitive measures against Uguamaye and to foster a culture of free speech among corps members. The group maintained that protecting young voices is essential for sustaining democracy, allowing future leaders to contribute meaningfully to national discourse.
