By Kingston Magare
President Bola Tinubu’s special assistant on media and publicity, Temitope Ajayi has called for the expulsion of Ushie Rita Uguamaye from the National Youth Service Corps.
Uguamaye, 24, in a viral TikTok video criticised President Tinubu’s economic policies, sparking a myriad of reactions. Mr. Ajayi said in a statement Monday that as a youth corper she deserved to be expelled from the NYSC for violating the rules.
“I suggested that flagrant and open abuse and disregard of NYSC by-laws and established protocol should attract the full NYSC disciplinary measures, particularly regarding a corps member’s recent display of imprudence,” Mr. Ajayi said
“It is trite to say the maximum punishment under the NYSC protocol is expulsion; nothing beyond the established norms and laws is suggested or remotely implied.
“The NYSC scheme is a historic and treasured national programme that should not be sullied and ridiculed by indiscipline. It symbolises our triumph over division and consistent effort to forge a more potent and virile union.
“Most importantly, we should abide by our old, cherished values of dignity, discipline, and respect for one another as citizens.”
Meanwhile human rights activist Agba Jalingo writing on his Facebook page said Uguamaye’s anti-government stance can be understandable after her father died protesting the takeover of his land by the government.
“She’s from my hometown, Obudu, in Cross River state. Her father, an immigration officer, died in May 2019 after taking part in a protest against the demolition of his palm plantation for the Obudu International Airport.
“There was a demonstration by the youths and women of the Ukambi community against the destruction of their farmlands for the airport project.
“Her father, who was nearing retirement, had spent his lifetime savings developing a palm plantation in his village, Ukambi. Upon learning that farmlands in neighboring Atiekpe and Ikwomikwu had been demolished and that Ukambi was next, he rushed home to confront the bulldozer encroaching on his land.
“He arrived at the site in his uniform and stood in front of the bulldozer, attempting to stop it before other community members joined him.
“He actively participated in the protest but later collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital in Obudu, but due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to UCTH in Calabar, where he died.”
