• The NYSC has denied claims that it extended the service year of corps member Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, over her viral criticism of President Tinubu and living conditions in Nigeria.
• Raye had alleged that NYSC officials pressured her to delete the video, sparking reactions from figures like Atiku Abubakar and Omoyele Sowore, who condemned the reported threats.
• NYSC spokesperson Carol Embu dismissed the rumours, stating that Uguamaye is still serving and no extension has been made, stressing that the organisation follows due process.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dismissed claims that it extended the service year of Lagos-based corps member Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, as punishment for publicly criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Raye had gained widespread attention online after posting a viral video on her TikTok handle, @talktoraye, where she expressed deep frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation. In the clip, she lamented rising inflation, harsh living conditions, and described President Tinubu as a “terrible leader.”

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The corps member went further to call Lagos a “smelling state,” citing its “poor living conditions” as part of the hardship Nigerians are enduring.

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Following the backlash and attention her video attracted, Uguamaye released another video alleging that NYSC officials were pressuring her to take down the original post. She claimed she was being threatened, though the NYSC did not directly respond to those allegations.

She said, “They are asking me to delete the video, but I only spoke the truth about the country’s situation.”

Her claims triggered reactions from prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who both condemned the alleged threats.

On Tuesday, Sowore shared a news headline that read, “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship,” and vowed to protest at her passing out parade if the NYSC does not allow her to complete her service without harassment.

“This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter,” Sowore wrote. “This is not acceptable, we will mobilise down to the Passing Out Parade except Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC national service without let or hindrance.”

Responding to the viral claim, Acting Director of Press and Public Relations for the NYSC, Carol Embu, clarified that no such extension had been made.

“Who is Sowore? Does he work with the NYSC? So, how come you are listening to him? I don’t understand how she will get an extension if she is still serving,” Embu told journalists on Tuesday.

“NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we work with rules and regulations. She is still serving; if she has any issues, we will wait and see,” she added.

As of press time, Uguamaye had not made any official statement on her verified social media handles confirming an extension of her service year.

Friend Arrested as 26-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Delta Hotel

Police have arrested a friend of a 26-year-old man, identified simply as Ebere, who was found dead in a hotel room at Midwifery Junction, Okpanam, in the Delta State capital.

According to sources, Ebere had checked into the unnamed hotel around 4 p.m. on Sunday with a friend. His lifeless body was discovered by 6 a.m. the following day.