Father of NYSC Member Who Slammed Tinubu Died Protesting Demolition of His Palm Plantation
The father of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who recently criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, died after participating in a protest against the demolition of his palm plantation for the Obudu International Airport project. Journalist and human rights activist Agba Jalingo revealed this in a Facebook post, shedding light on the tragic circumstances that have shaped Rita’s life and her outspoken criticism of the government.
Background of the Tragedy
Rita’s father, Raphael A. Ushie, was a Chief Inspector with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the younger brother of Dr. Vincent Ushie, the personal physician to former Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade. In May 2019, Ushie joined a protest by the youths and women of Ukambi community against the destruction of their farmlands for the Obudu International Airport project.
Jalingo recounted that Ushie had invested his life savings into developing a palm plantation in his village, Ukambi. Upon learning that farmlands in neighboring communities had been demolished and that Ukambi was next, he rushed home to confront the bulldozers encroaching on his land.
“He arrived at the site in his uniform and stood in front of the bulldozer, attempting to stop it before other community members joined him,” Jalingo said.
Collapse and Death
During the protest, Ushie collapsed and was rushed to a hospital in Obudu. Due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where he later passed away.
“Her father actively participated in the protest but later collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital in Obudu, but due to the severity of his condition, he was transferred to UCTH in Calabar, where he died,” Jalingo explained.
The family was never compensated for the destruction of the palm plantation or for any other expenses related to Ushie’s death.
Impact on Rita and Her Family
At the time of her father’s death, Rita was only 19 years old. Her mother was left to single-handedly support the family and put her children through school. Jalingo emphasized that the family has yet to recover from the loss, both emotionally and financially.
“Ushie Rita Uguamaye, now 24, was only 19 years old when Nigeria’s inefficiency took her father away. Their struggling mother was left to single-handedly put them through school, and to this day, there is no hope that their father’s investment will be compensated,” Jalingo said.
Rita’s Criticism of Tinubu’s Administration
Rita recently gained national attention after posting a video on TikTok under the handle @talktoraye, where she tearfully expressed frustration over the rising cost of goods in Nigeria. In the video, she described Tinubu as a “terrible” president and accused the government of neglecting the economic hardship faced by citizens.
“If more Nigerians start speaking out about what we are going through, maybe the government will take action,” she said in the video. “I don’t know if there has ever been a President worse than you, but you are such a terrible leader.”
She also lamented the financial struggles of corps members, stating that the NYSC allowance is insufficient to cover basic living expenses.
NYSC’s Response and Threats
Following her viral post, Rita was summoned by the NYSC Local Government Inspector (LGI) in Lagos to appear at the Eti-Osa 3 local government office. However, when she arrived with human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and a team of lawyers, the official who issued the summons was absent.
Rita revealed that she had been receiving multiple calls from NYSC officials, urging her to stop criticizing the government and delete the video. She expressed concern that corps members are required to provide their phone numbers and addresses on NYSC forms, making them vulnerable to intimidation.
Jalingo’s Call for Sympathy and Support
Jalingo urged Nigerians to sympathize with Rita and support her family instead of punishing her for speaking out.
“If you were in her position—living in a country where the system unjustly took your father when you were just 19, leaving your mother to struggle, and when you finally express your frustration, the same system that killed your father threatens you too—where is the freedom of expression?” Jalingo asked.
He added, “I believe that instead of making her situation worse, well-meaning Nigerians should sympathize with her and support her family in recovering from this tragedy.”
Conclusion
The tragic death of Rita’s father and her subsequent criticism of the government highlight the deep-seated frustrations of many Nigerians with systemic inefficiency and economic hardship. Rita’s story underscores the need for empathy, justice, and accountability in addressing the grievances of citizens. As the NYSC and government officials respond to her criticism, her experience serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of governance failures and the importance of protecting freedom of expression.
