Ex-NUJ President warns NYSC against victimising corps member for criticising Tinubu govt

A former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and African Union of Journalists (AUJ), Comrade Lanre Ogundipe, has called on the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), against taking any punitive action against a corps member serving in Lagos State, Rita Ushie Uguamaye.

He made the call in a statement issued on Monday.

It would be recalled that Uguamaye in a video released online criticised the government of President Bola Tinubu over the state of the economy.

But Ogundipe, in his reaction, said the voice of the young lady must not be stiffled or restricted by government and its agents.

The former NUJ President, in the statement titled, “Let Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos State breathe”, insisted that the freedom of speech is fully in section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, noting that the right to freedom of expression is also protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.

According to him, “Freedom of Speech is fully embedded in 1999 constitution section 3. This section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution: states: ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference’.

“The right to freedom of expression is also protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with code number LA/24B/832 serving in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos who came under fire for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s government over the state of the economy.

“Every youth must stand to protect and shield the lady from further infringement on her fundamental right. She should be encouraged for her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred. Her coming to join the frail of the dwindled right activists has added to rise and agitation that new voices should come up as the rank and voices of the older activists seems not to be effective as before.

“The voice of the young lady must not be stiffled or restricted by government and its agents. Therefore, officials of the National Youth Service Corps must stop forthwith the invitation asking Rita to report at the Eti-Osa local governments Secretariat of the NYSC. The action is viewed to force her pull down the video on social media and issue her with various forms of punitive sanctions.”