Human Rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore led a protest on Tuesday August 12, 2025 at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, demanding release of the discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as “Raye”, a female corps member.
Joining Sowore was human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiiong, who also represent Raye legally.
The protest came after Sowore announced on social media his commitment to securing justice for Raye, emphasizing that she had completed all requirements of the mandatory one-year national service.
“By 9:00am tomorrow, we will resume at the NYSC Headquarters to receive the discharge certificate of corp member Ushie Rita Uguamaye “Raye” who has successfully concluded her compulsory service”, Sowore wrote on Monday via his X handle.
Raye alleges that the NYSC withheld her certified in retaliation for her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s be administration., but the NYSC denied this, stating the issue was unrelated to her political views.
In a Sunday statement, the agency clarified that her certificate was withheld because she missed the April 2025 biometric clearance, which, according to the NYSC Bye-Laws, requires a two-months extension of the service year.
The NYSC noted that Raye is among 131 corps members facing similar disciplinary actions for valid infractions.
Raye grabbed the headlines earlier this year following her viral TikTok video in which she criticized Tinubu’s government and described Lagos as “smelling”.
In a fresh video, Raye alleged that her Local Government Inspector (LGI) refused to clear her for April despite her being present on the scheduled date.
In a viral video clip she shared on Saturday, she claimed she was repeatedly told to “go to the back” until the official eventually seized her file, refused to attend to her, and ordered her to leave.
The corps member said she was later informed she would not receive her certificate because she missed April clearance, which she insists is untrue.
-9News Nigeria.
