A Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, took to her social media account to apologise, following her viral TikTok video berating the environmental condition of Lagos State.
Uguamaye recently on her Instagram handle @iamraye_ begged all Lagos born citizens, stressing she did not intend to talk down the State.
She said, “I want to first of all state that ””I AM SORRY” to the people who were born and raised in Lagos State if you feel offended by what I said. I am sorry. But as a visitor here I could tell there was a difference in the atmosphere and quality of air here.
“If the way that I put it triggered your emotions and the love for your birth state I am sorry. I didn’t mean to talk down on your birth state.
Recall that Uguamaye’s video went viral on social media, where she openly complained about Lagos State’s poor sanitation, describing it as a “smelling state.”
She also berated Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a “terrible leader” and lamenting that financial hardships have made hard work seem futile.
Shortly after her video went viral, Uguamaye alleged that she began receiving threats, purportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to delete the content.
She took to Instagram to express fears for her safety, stating that her personal details had been leaked and that she was being pressured to report to the NYSC office.
“Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue.
“Less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government, starting with the NYSC board.
“They have my address. If you don’t see me online, you know who to hold accountable,” she wrote.
Amnesty International’s statement has also accused the Nigerian authorities of attempting to silence dissenting voices rather than addressing citizens’ economic grievances.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for the Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the organization added.
The controversy has sparked a national debate on free speech and the role of the NYSC in suppressing public criticism.
However, according to reports, the NYSC has yet to respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
