By Ameh Gabriel
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday led a group of protesters to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja to demand the release of the discharge certificate of corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.”
Sowore was joined by several activists, including human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who is representing Uguamaye. The protest followed Sowore’s announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, where he vowed to ensure justice for the corps member.
“By 9am tomorrow, we will resume at the Maitama Abuja HQ of the National Youth Service Corps @officialnyscng to receive the Discharge Certificate of Corp Member Ushie Rita Uguamaye ‘Raye,’ who has successfully concluded her compulsory service,” Sowore wrote.
The NYSC management maintains that Uguamaye’s service year was extended by two months and that she was denied her certificate for failing to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance, a requirement under the NYSC Bye-Laws.
However, Uguamaye insists the action is politically motivated, alleging it is retaliation for her earlier criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. She had gained public attention earlier this year after a viral TikTok video in which she criticised the government and described Lagos as “smelling.”
In a recent Instagram video, Uguamaye claimed that despite being present for the April clearance, her Local Government Inspector (LGI) refused to process her attendance. She alleged she was repeatedly told to “go to the back” until her file was seized, after which she was ordered to leave.
The corps member said she was later informed she would not receive her discharge certificate because she had missed the April clearance a claim she strongly denies.
