A corps member serving in Lagos State, Ushie Rita, has called out the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for threatening her after she complained about Nigeria’s economic struggles,
In a TikTok post, Rita expressed frustration over the rising cost of living, criticizing President Bola Tinubu and the poor living conditions in Lagos.
Pointing out that the NYSC scheme is not ‘beneficial’, Ushie said “I genuinely feel overwhelmed. I feel like if a lot of Nigerians start speaking on what we’re going through, there might be changes.
“I just want to say to our president, I don’t know if there have been any president that is terrible but you are such a terrible president.
“I’m coming from the supermarket where I went to get foodstuffs and everything has gone up.
“Every single week, prices increase. I want to know if the government is doing something about the increment. Is the increment going to stop? I’m so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’m living independently.
“When I got home, our security officials gave me the NEPA bill, which has been doubled again. I can’t keep up with these bills, I’m overwhelmed and exhausted.”
Taking a swipe at Lagos, Ushie said “Let’s not even add, Lagos stinks. You can’t even take a walk because the place smells. Being a corp member, there is nothing beneficial. The money I spend on transportation is more than the allowance the government pays.
“I wish we would start calling out the government heads on. Tinubu, you are a terrible president. What are you doing to help the economy.”
Claiming that her life is under threat from officials of the NYSC, Ushie, in another video, shared a conversation she had with an NYSC official, who ordered her to delete the post.
Urging the public to hold NYSC responsible if any harm befalls her, Rita claimed the woman ‘threatened her for insulting the government’.
Ushie said “Thirty minutes ago, I received a call from the NYSC board and the woman threatened me to take down the video. It’s so bad that you can’t speak against the government because they feel like they have chains to hold you. NYSC board are already calling me to threaten me.
“The woman told me I was insulting the government which I never did. Why is the NYSC board calling to threaten me?
“Why is it okay that I can’t speak against something that is directly hurting me? Why are they threatening me under 24 hours?”
She also shared screenshots from colleagues claiming the state government is searching for her, and she is terrified for her life.
One of the chats reads “Lagos State Government is looking for you. I know because my LGI just posted about it in our group chat. Careful dear. All the best.”
Rita’s video sparked widespread discussions about free speech, government accountability, and the treatment of outspoken youths in Nigeria.
Many have come out in support of Rita, condemning the NYSC’s actions and emphasizing the importance of freedom of speech.
