Nigerians have reacted following the threat by the board of the National Youth Service Corps on a youth corper who lamented the economic situation of the country and described President Bola Tinubu as ‘terrible.’
In a viral video, Raye, with the handle @talktoraye, broke down in tears about the terrible condition of things in the market while calling out President Bola Tinubu and labelling him ‘terrible’.
She called on Nigerians to speak out about the hardship and stop pretending that things are going well or they are surviving when the people are gradually sinking into economic chaos.
“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she said in the video.
“I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
“So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up?
“Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills.
“The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?
“To make it worse, Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell? Being an NYSC corper, there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme.
“The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us. We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”
According to her, the N33k they are paid does not cover what the corperd need in a month.
However, her video did not go down well with the management of the Scheme as the young lady said she received a warning from the NYSC board to delete the video and caution her online statements.
The development has triggered reactions from Nigerians, with many questioning whether corps members should be restricted from expressing their views on governance and national issues.
Anonymous NG wrote “A lady posted about hardship in Nigeria. Next day, she was threatened by NYSC Board to take it down.
Is this a military regime?
if u people think u r mad u haven’t seen madness yet!
We’re giving NYSC Lagos headed by Christiana Salmwang 24hrs to publicly condemn those involved”
@generalsnow_ wrote “PUBLIC LETTER: NYSC MUST APOLOGIZE FOR THREATENING A DEPRESSED CORPS MEMBER.
The recent actions of the NYSC Lagos Secretariat in allegedly threatening a female corps member for expressing her frustration over the rising cost of living are deeply disturbing. This young woman, overwhelmed by inflation, rent hikes, and the daily struggle to survive, was reduced to tears. Instead of offering support, the NYSC, an institution responsible for the welfare of corps members, chose to intimidate her into silence.
Her only “offense” was calling the President terrible at his job. This is a democracy, not a dictatorship. The President is not above criticism, and no government institution has the right to bully a citizen for expressing their views. A corps member crying out due to economic hardship should receive reassurance, not threats. Depression is real, and dismissing her distress while trying to suppress her voice is both heartless and undemocratic.
NYSC must call its Lagos Secretariat to order and issue a formal apology to this corps member. It must also reaffirm its commitment to the well-being of those serving Nigeria, rather than acting as a tool of oppression. The right to free speech is nonnegotiable, and any attempt to stifle it is a disgrace to the values Nigeria claims to uphold.”
@Amnestynigeria wrote “Amnesty International strongly condemns threats and intimidation directed at a lady who posted TikTok video lamenting the current escalating economic hardship. The lady alleged that NYSC officials @officialnyscng threatened her for refusing to delete the video.’
@ourfavonlinedoc wrote “The young nysc member who criticised the President for incompetence has just been threatened by nysc.
If this lady goes missing, get attacked or be harassed, the govt must be held responsible.
Nothing must happen to this lady.
Pls share this everywhere.”
@emeneks wrote “You know how to find Nysc Corper when they speak on Bad governance but cannot find them when they get kidnapped”
@mrmekzy_ wrote “There’s no benefit to doing NYSC, not a single one. The entire scheme should be scrapped. It’s a useless program that wastes one year of one’s life.”
@mrmacaronii wrote “To the DG, Coordinators and every official of the NYSC!!!
You cannot threaten, intimidate or victimize any corper for expressing their view on the performance of the president.
They are citizens with rights!
The president is in office to serve the people and every Nigerian, Corper or not has the right to hold their Leaders accountable!!!”
@steadi_lady wrote “Someone is doing ordinary NYSC and you’re threatening her because she said Tinubu is terrible.
Is tinubu not terrible ??? Useless country, they want you to suffer & die , with your mouth closed.”
@toriblacq wrote “Corps members will get involved in accidents, get kidnapped, get killed, NYSC won’t do or say a single thing but it’s this one that’s airing her grievances about the country that is their problem.”
@aishayesufu wrote “I really do not understand the mentality that because you are older than someone that person does not deserve to speak up to you.
I watched the video where someone said to be from NYSC was threatening a lady and saying ‘Hold down that rubbish, you are not talking with your mate’”
Meanwhile, article 18 of the NYSC Code of Conduct mandates corps members to seek consent before speaking to the press or be liable to an extension of service by 30 days with half pay.
