Corps Member Upbraided for Critical TikTok Video

Corps Member Upbraided for Critical TikTok Video

A National Youth Service Corps NYSC member, Ushie Uguamaye currently serving in Lagos has been cautioned for openly criticising the government of the day in contravention of extant Corps rules.

Uguamaye who shared the video on TikTok, a widely used social media platform expressed her deep frustration and disappointment over cost of living and her life struggles.

In the footage, she breaks down in tears while discussing the hardships that she and many other Nigerians are experiencing as a result of the surging cost of living.

“I just returned from the supermarket, and prices have gone up once more. Each week, costs are escalating. Eggs now cost N6,500 per crate! I recall when they were only N800. How can we possibly make ends meet?” she lamented.

She described the difficult living conditions in Lagos, the high utility costs, and the pricey transportation fees.

“Being an NYSC Corps member isn’t advantageous. I spend more on transport than what we receive as an allowance,” she regretted.

Her video quickly went viral, garnering widespread reactions from Nigerians online.

Some applauded her for voicing her concerns, while others accused her of showing “disrespect” towards the President and the government.

However, after posting the video, the Corps member alleged that she began receiving threats from NYSC officials, claiming she was called to the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat, where officials interrogated her and accused her of tarnishing the reputation of the scheme.

“They informed me that my video was embarrassing to both the NYSC and the government and warned me that I could face disciplinary measures if I didn’t take it down and apologize.

“But I won’t apologize for speaking the truth. I regret that our leaders are not doing enough to tackle the economic crisis affecting millions of Nigerians,” she lamented.

Some commentators said young individuals do not recognize that, “it is inappropriate to criticize a system they benefit from. As a government employee and member of the paramilitary, she is subject to specific rules and regulations.

“The NYSC handbook clearly outlines that Corps members should refrain from public critiques of the government or their employers, and breaking this rule can lead to disciplinary consequences. It also highlights the necessity of maintaining an impartial and apolitical stance during their service period. In this instance, her video criticizing the government’s approach to the economy and labeling the President as a “terrible” leader could be viewed as a clear breach of the NYSC guidelines.”

The NYSC indicated that she had breached the regulations of the handbook, asserting that “all Corps members are considered government employees and part of the paramilitary, which disallows public disparagement of one’s employer. Furthermore, she has benefitted from the system by successfully transferring between states, which may have affected her outlook.

“As the saying goes, ‘He who seeks fairness must come with clean hands.’ She also manages a vlog where she chronicles her daily life on TikTok, particularly sharing her enjoyment of discovering various restaurants and beaches in Lagos. So why, just as she approaches the conclusion of her service, is she now choosing to criticize?

“While Corps members are entitled to express their views and critique the government, it’s crucial for them to be conscious of the regulations governing their conduct as government workers and paramilitary members.”

The post has sparked discussions concerning the influence of social media within the NYSC and the necessity for Corps members to be cautious about their online activities. The NYSC has established a social media policy that forbids Corps members from sharing content that may discredit the organization, and Corps members are expected to comply with this policy at all times.

A National Youth Service Corps NYSC member, Ushie Uguamaye currently serving in Lagos has been cautioned for openly criticising the government of the day in contravention of extant Corps rules.

Uguamaye who shared the video on TikTok, a widely used social media platform expressed her deep frustration and disappointment over cost of living and her life struggles.

In the footage, she breaks down in tears while discussing the hardships that she and many other Nigerians are experiencing as a result of the surging cost of living.

“I just returned from the supermarket, and prices have gone up once more. Each week, costs are escalating. Eggs now cost N6,500 per crate! I recall when they were only N800. How can we possibly make ends meet?” she lamented.

She described the difficult living conditions in Lagos, the high utility costs, and the pricey transportation fees.

“Being an NYSC Corps member isn’t advantageous. I spend more on transport than what we receive as an allowance,” she regretted.

Her video quickly went viral, garnering widespread reactions from Nigerians online.

Some applauded her for voicing her concerns, while others accused her of showing “disrespect” towards the President and the government.

However, after posting the video, the Corps member alleged that she began receiving threats from NYSC officials, claiming she was called to the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat, where officials interrogated her and accused her of tarnishing the reputation of the scheme.

“They informed me that my video was embarrassing to both the NYSC and the government and warned me that I could face disciplinary measures if I didn’t take it down and apologize.

“But I won’t apologize for speaking the truth. I regret that our leaders are not doing enough to tackle the economic crisis affecting millions of Nigerians,” she lamented.

Some commentators said young individuals do not recognize that, “it is inappropriate to criticize a system they benefit from. As a government employee and member of the paramilitary, she is subject to specific rules and regulations.

“The NYSC handbook clearly outlines that Corps members should refrain from public critiques of the government or their employers, and breaking this rule can lead to disciplinary consequences. It also highlights the necessity of maintaining an impartial and apolitical stance during their service period. In this instance, her video criticizing the government’s approach to the economy and labeling the President as a “terrible” leader could be viewed as a clear breach of the NYSC guidelines.”

The NYSC indicated that she had breached the regulations of the handbook, asserting that “all Corps members are considered government employees and part of the paramilitary, which disallows public disparagement of one’s employer. Furthermore, she has benefitted from the system by successfully transferring between states, which may have affected her outlook.

“As the saying goes, ‘He who seeks fairness must come with clean hands.’ She also manages a vlog where she chronicles her daily life on TikTok, particularly sharing her enjoyment of discovering various restaurants and beaches in Lagos. So why, just as she approaches the conclusion of her service, is she now choosing to criticize?

“While Corps members are entitled to express their views and critique the government, it’s crucial for them to be conscious of the regulations governing their conduct as government workers and paramilitary members.”

The post has sparked discussions concerning the influence of social media within the NYSC and the necessity for Corps members to be cautious about their online activities. The NYSC has established a social media policy that forbids Corps members from sharing content that may discredit the organization, and Corps members are expected to comply with this policy at all times.