raye (1).webp
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the service year of corps member Rita Ushie, known as Raye on Instagram, by 60 days. This punitive measure was reportedly imposed due to her viral video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the nation's economic conditions, sparking outrage among civil rights groups who view it as an attack on freedom of expression.
  • NYSC extended corps member Rita Ushie's (Raye) service year by two months.
  • Punishment for a viral TikTok video in March criticizing President Tinubu's government as "terrible" and lamenting worsening economic conditions.
  • Raye had only one month left of her service year.
  • NYSC officials allegedly threatened her and demanded the video's removal, sparking condemnation.
  • After initial summons and delays, Raye faced a disciplinary panel at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, on June 18.
  • Raye is reportedly deeply upset by the decision, despite traveling to the camp and offering an apology for the public backlash.
  • Raye's TikTok video (@talktoraye) showed her in tears, expressing frustration over rising living costs and accusing the government of ignoring citizens' plight.
Paper Chains reveal the subtle yet potent ways in which state authority can bind individual expression. When a young citizen's cry of frustration leads to professional penalties, it illuminates the unseen boundaries of public discourse and the enduring struggle for democratic freedoms. This situation compels us to ponder the chilling effect such actions can have on civic participation and the vital importance of protecting diverse viewpoints, reminding us that "a society that silences its critics loses its way." It underscores the fundamental truth that a nation's strength is often found not in uniformity but in the vibrant chorus of its people's voices.

Sources: Instablog9jaNews, CrossRiverRiverWatch, Jonathan Ugbal (South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement),

​