The media, especially the social media, recently went agog with dramatic tension as a Lagos State-based corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, last weekend criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over hardship while she described Lagos as a smelly city. Many Nigerians have lent their voices to this matter. KINGSLEY ALUMONA brings excerpt.
Michael Babalola
Under NYSC laws, corps members do not have any right to support or oppose any government, and to grant interviews to the media. Many people think that one could wear the uniform and behave anyhow.
Michael Odey
I have checked my 2020 copy of the NYSC bylaws and there is no provision in the booklet that bars a corps member from expressing her displeasure and disappointment over the president’s policies. Except those rules have been changed. Besides, is Nigeria not terrible under President Tinubu or is the said corps member not supposed to be the person saying it?
Oluwaseyi Ekundayo
No need to insult anyone even though you are frustrated. It is best to state your opinion politely. Everybody is feeling the heat in the country. However, one does not have to lose their morals over such matters. Overreaction could make you lose a case they should have won.
Onilearo Oluwajuwonlo
The corps member was right with everything she said. President Tinubu is not as agile, intelligent, and healthy as when she was the Lagos State governor. He is old now. He did not prepare to be Nigerian president. He only saw an opportunity and he grabbed it. That is why he is unable to do anything about Nigeria’s problem but to add to it. Some parts of Lagos smell because there is no proper government sanitary system in the state.
Solomon Ademola
That corps member lacks morals and respect. Even if you are hurt, you do not have to insult anyone. I think she was sponsored by someone to do what she did.
Akinwumi Akinniyi
Every Nigerian is entitled to their opinion about the state of the country and also has every right to criticise the government if it is not doing well. However, in the Constitution, some government organisations have their codes and rules that guide them.
NYSC is one of those governmental organizations. If there is a rule in the NYSC bylaw that forbids corps members from criticising the government, then any of its members who violate that law should be penalized. This is because abiding by the law is part of the learning process that would guide them towards their future endeavours.
Olawale Muhammed
Uguamaye’s comments have shed light on the frustrations Nigerians experience regarding economic conditions and urban challenges. While her choice of words may have been contentious, the ensuing discussions underscore the importance of addressing these pressing issues.
Samuel Freedom
The Nigeria we know is bent on intimidating its citizens when issues like this arise. What the corps member lady said was based on her opinion, which is the truth about the present government There is no way a citizen would say such things if the government is for all. The Nigerian government should be thankful that there is someone able and bold enough to tell them the truth. The truth is bitter, and that is why some of the reactions are negative.
Bukola Odediran
I agree with the corps member. Nigeria requires proactive leadership, strategic planning, and a clear vision. This administration has failed to address Nigeria’s environmental challenges, from poor waste management to worsening pollution. Lagos, once a model city, now struggles with sanitation issues due to weak governance. A leader who merely seizes power without proper preparation cannot drive sustainable urban development. Nigeria needs forward-thinking policies and competent leadership to tackle environmental degradation and improve public health for a sustainable future.
Oludare Amure
The corps member is a Nigerian and has the right to voice her opinion. On the other hand, she does not have the right to insult anybody. That said, do we as Nigerians abide enough by our constitution? I could remember vividly that in 2014 and 2015 the president then was abused and called all sorts of names, and heaven did not fall.
Uche Chris
Is the government trying to change individual Nigerian opinions by persecution? This sounds like flogging a child and stopping him from crying. Over 60 percent of Nigerians have significant problems eating once daily. Or does the president expect every Nigerian to be of “good character?” Why can the president not rather prove such an outburst wrong?
It’s tragic that our politicians not only ignore the grave lamentations of Nigerians but listen to misleading statements of ignorant or opportune sycophants. The best way to respond to a citizen’s rude criticism is to address the root causes of the problems. If the government is good, the same people would herald it. This is democracy.
Akinwekomi Folorunso
When Nigerians travel abroad, they abide by the rules of the country they travel to. No one dares openly insult a government, not even against one another, openly or on social media. Most Nigerians do not know the difference between criticism, bullying, libel, slander, and defamation of character. The way they insult leaders in this country there is no how they can give their best to the system. Let us encourage courtesy in all settings if we want to grow.
Shorel Eddy
The corps member lady is understandably frustrated. Many are feeling what she felt or worse. She should, however, be careful, lest it leads to depression. Instead of condemning her, she needed pity and counselling. Emotion, bottled for a long time, could damage someone’s health. Many people are passing through a lot. Let the state toil the path of empathy. They should not use a sledgehammer on an ant.
Osazee Osagie
She was voicing out her opinion and there is nothing wrong with that. There are procedures explained during NYSC orientation on how to voice out. The lack of knowledge is the problem, NYSC is like the military. She did not follow the rules. This is not about sentiment. She was even advised out of consideration to take down the video but she made another one, which has now turned into a political issue. If she were a soldier, she would have been punished severely. But she cannot be given that treatment. So, she might lose her NYSC certificate.
Since she made her first point in the first video, she should not have escalated it in the second video for social media frenzy. Her status as a corps member would now be used for politics. Even in unionism, there are ways we do things before going to the streets to protest. She played the drums and would dance to it. Those government officials would keep evading any press statement or political persons like Sowore till the day of giving the NYSC certificate, which she might not get. This is the reality.
Obinna Ugbogu
We are in a country where speaking the truth, saying it just the way it is, is now a crime or forbidden. Even in our religious places, if you are a pastor who preaches the word of God raw, most people in this country would drag you, give names, and your church would be empty. The abnormal has become normal, while the normal has become abnormal. May God deliver us.
Lanre Joda
One could see the corps member’s frustration and the truth in what she said. She spoke for millions of deprived Nigerians, some of whom, for political reasons, would choose to remain quiet or are unreasonably busy defending those in power. However, people could express themselves and not use certain words on others. What generated the attention was the “Tinubu’s is a terrible president” part. Gen Zs do not see what is wrong with that. But my generation would not use such words.
Paul Emeks
I do not know who is forcing them to come to Lagos. She requested for redeployment to Lagos. Why did she not stay in the state they originally posted her? Such people hate but would still come to the southwest. They should stay in your region and avoid the smell.
Mayowa Adejumo
People have the right to express their views. They have the right to protest bad policies. But they do not have the right to undermine what belongs to all of us. Certain rights have limits. This generation speaks up. So, they should use the opportunity to get the government on their toes. Thousands of things are good about Lagos, and just a few things are bad. As for the smelly part, that is the fault of the people, especially traders. We should blame ourselves for that.
READ ALSO: I am sorry’, Viral corps member apologises for labelling Lagos ‘smelling state’
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