“How Dad of NYSC Lady Who Criticised Tinubu Died After Protesting Govt’s Demolition,” Jalingo Shares

• Agba Jalingo has detailed how Ushie Rita Uguamaye, the NYSC member recently queried for criticised President Tinubu, lost her father
• In a lengthy post, the journalist and human rights activist disclosed that Rita lost her dad at the age of 19, during a protest against land demolition in 2019
• He explained that Rita's father, an immigration officer, collapsed after attempting to stop the destruction of his palm plantation for the Obudu International Airport in Cross River state

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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Journalist and human rights activist Agba Jalingo has narrated how the father of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who was recently queried for calling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a terrible leader, was killed.

In a post shared on his Facebook page, on Sunday, March 16, Jalingo noted that the corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, was 19 years old at the time of the incident that led to her father’s death.

Jalingo emphasised that the family was never compensated for their loss, adding that “Ushie Rita Uguamaye, now 24, was only 19 years old when Nigeria’s inefficiency took her father away.”

“There are NYSC bylaws that prohibit corps members from engaging in certain activities, including openly criticising authorities. The penalties are severe, and I acknowledge that Corper Ushie Rita Uguamaye violated the rule book. However, I want to explain why I believe she is a victim, and if I were in her shoes, I would not have acted differently,” Jalingo said.

Tragic story behind NYSC member’s viral criticism of FG

According to Jalingo, Rita’s father, an immigration officer, died after participating in a protest against the demolition of his palm plantation to make way for the Obudu International Airport.

Jalingo further explained that Rita’s father was rushed to the hospital after participating in the protest which claimed his life.

Jalingo said:

“She's from my hometown, Obudu, in Cross River state. Her father, an immigration officer, died in May 2019 after taking part in a protest against the demolition of his palm plantation for the Obudu International Airport.

“There was a demonstration by the youths and women of the Ukambi community against the destruction of their farmlands for the airport project.

“Her father, who was nearing retirement, had spent his lifetime savings developing a palm plantation in his village, Ukambi. Upon learning that farmlands in neighboring Atiekpe and Ikwomikwu had been demolished and that Ukambi was next, he rushed home to confront the bulldozer 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.

“He 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.”

Read more about the NYSC saga here:

• SERAP sends urgent message to Tinubu over NYSC’s alleged threat to Lagos corper
• VDM makes offer to viral NYSC member

Sowore defends Lagos corper who tackled Tinubu

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Omoyele Sowore has publicly backed NYSC member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, who is facing backlash for criticising President Tinubu’s administration.

Sowore accompanied Uguamaye to the NYSC office in Lagos with a team of lawyers, but officials were absent, prompting concerns over free speech and political dissent.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.