NYSC denies extending Raye’s service year, counsels public to ignore unnecessary speculation
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“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.
“NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we work with rules and regulations. She “[Raye] is still serving; if she has any issues, we will wait and see” – NYSC spokesperson Carol Embu.
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Rita Uguamaye, popular known as Raye, has not been detained by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to serve for an extended period for calling out Bola Tinubu on social media earlier in the year as a “terrible leader”, the NYSC has clarified to counter earlier reports.
Rights activist Omoyele Sowore posted on social media on Tuesday that: “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship”, and vowed to protest at the NYSC passing out parade (POP).
Raye took on a 30-day challenge in March – quickly emulated by others, especially youths – to rant on social media about Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic conditions, beginning with the Tinubu regime.
She in a viral video on TikTok account, @talktoraye, lamented high inflation and economic hardship caused by Tinubu’s bad policies, describing him as a “terrible leader” and doubted his efforts to alleviate hardship faced by citizens.
Raye also took on Lagos, decrying it as a “smelling state” with “poor living conditions.” She later apologised over the Lagos comment but not for criticising Tinubu.
She later posted another video on TikTok to alert the public that she was being threatened by some NYSC officials who asked her to delete the videos. But she insisted that she had only spoken the truth about Nigeria’s situation.
The NYSC did not comment on her allegation of intimidation.
However, several individuals, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sowore condemned the alleged threat to her life.
Again on Tuesday, Sowore posted: “NYSC punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship”, and vowed to protest at the NYSC passing out parade (POP).
“This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter.
“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.”
However, acting NYSC Press and Public Relations Director Carol Embu explained that the decision to extend a corps member’s service year is made when such a person is passing out.
She insisted that there are guidelines that would be followed if such an action were to be taken.
“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 The PUNCH.
“NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we work with rules and regulations. She [Raye] is still serving; if she has any issues, we will wait and see.”
Raye herself is not known to have posted on the speculation of her service extension.
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