A youth corps member serving in Lagos State, Ushie Uguamaye, has accused Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of threatening her after she publicly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over worsening economic conditions.
Uguamaye’s remarks, posted in a now-viral video on TikTok, expressed frustration over rising inflation and living costs, labelling Tinubu a “terrible leader.” She also took aim at Lagos, describing it as a “smelling state” with “poor living conditions.”
The video sparked widespread debate, drawing both support and criticism. However, the controversy escalated when Uguamaye claimed NYSC officials had pressured her to delete the video.
As an NYSC member, it's crucial to avoid making disparaging or insulting remarks about the state you are serving in, as it is a violation of the NYSC bye-laws and can lead to disciplinary action.
Here's a breakdown of why this is important and what the consequences could be:
NYSC Bye-Laws:
The NYSC has specific guidelines and regulations that corps members must adhere to, and insulting the state is a breach of these rules.
Disciplinary Action:
If a corps member is found to have insulted the state, they could face disciplinary action. potentially including appearing before a camp court or a state disciplinary committee.
Penalties:
Depending on the severity of the offense. penalties could range from warnings to extensions of service, or even expulsion from the NYSC program.
Maintaining a Positive Image:
As a representative of the NYSC and the nation, corps members should strive to maintain a positive image of the state they are serving in, fostering good relationships and promoting unity.
In a follow-up post, she alleged that she was being targeted for speaking out.
“Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board,” she wrote. “They have my address. If you don’t see me online, you know who to hold accountable. I just asked that they work on inflation.”
She vowed not to delete the video, arguing that doing so would erase any record of her ordeal. She also decried what she described as attempts to intimidate her, stating that she had been summoned to the NYSC office but was being unfairly pursued.
“Why is the NYSC looking for me? I exercised my right to free speech. Does being a corper mean I give up my right to complain?” she asked.