A former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the African Union of Journalists (AUJ), Comrade Lanre Ogundipe, has cautioned the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) against taking punitive action against Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos State.
Ogundipe issued this warning in a statement on Monday.
Uguamaye recently released a video online in which she criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the state of the economy. Reacting to the situation, Ogundipe emphasized that her right to free speech must not be suppressed by the government or its agencies.
In his statement, titled “Let Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a Corps Member Serving in Lagos State, Breathe”, the former NUJ President stressed that freedom of speech is enshrined in Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which 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.”
He further noted that this right is also protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Ogundipe condemned any attempt to intimidate Uguamaye, arguing that young Nigerians must stand in solidarity with her against any infringement on her fundamental rights. He lauded her courage in speaking truth to power, describing it as a necessary step in the fight for accountability, especially at a time when the voices of older activists appear to have diminished in impact.
He also called on NYSC officials to immediately withdraw their summons requiring Uguamaye to report at the Eti-Osa Local Government Secretariat. According to him, such actions appear to be aimed at coercing her into deleting the video from social media and subjecting her to unjust punishment.
“The voice of this young lady must not be stifled or restricted by the government and its agents. Officials of the National Youth Service Corps must halt any attempts to intimidate her,” Ogundipe insisted.
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