Corps member apologises to govt after calling Lagos ‘smelling state’

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Lagos, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, has issued an apology after facing backlash over a viral video in which she described Lagos as a “smelling state.”

In a statement made available on her Instagram account on Monday, Raye acknowledged that her comment may have offended residents of the state and expressed regret for her choice of words.

She clarified that her intention was not to insult those born and raised in Lagos but to express her observation as a visitor.

According to her, the remark was part of an initiative—a 30-day rant challenge she had started in a bid to draw attention to pressing issues in the country.

She explained that her goal was to be heard and to encourage others to speak up about the country’s worsening economic situation.

Raye noted that although her plan was to post 20 videos highlighting various concerns, the first video quickly drew significant attention because many Nigerians were equally frustrated.

She wrote, “I want to first of all state that “I AM SORRY” to the people who were born and raised in Lagos State if you feel offended by what I said. I am sorry.

“But as a visitor here, I could tell there was a difference in the atmosphere and quality of air here. If the way that I put it triggered your emotions and the love for your birth state, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to talk down on your birth state.

“When I started the 30 days rant challenge I said I just wanted to be heard. I believed that if I got to DAY-20 people would begin to hear me and join me to speak to the government. My Target was to make atleast 20 videos complaining until I was heard. But lucky for me I didn’t even have to get to DAY-2 because alot of us are actually angry, and Day 1 of the challenge was enough for people to join me.

“I want better for myself. (And I hope you do too) the complaints I made are valid regardless of whatever “lifestyle” you think I am living.

“I work 45+ hours a week and I should be able to afford hanging out with my friends every weekend. However I can’t. But how many of us can actually afford hanging out with our friends, how many can afford that in reality? You spend all week working and can’t even feel alive during the weekends.

“I Encourage all of us to ask for what we believe we deserve. I know distractions will take us again, very soon. But if we stay committed to asking for better we will get better. Thank you.”

Raye has been trending on Nigeria’s social media platforms since Saturday after a video she posted on her TikTok account went viral. In the video, she decried Nigeria’s economic hardship and inflation, expressing frustration that hard work no longer translates into financial stability.

She criticised President Bola Tinubu, labelling him a “terrible leader” and questioning what the government was doing to ease citizens’ suffering.

She also took a swipe at the alleged poor living conditions in Lagos State, which she described as a “smelling state.”

Shortly after the video gained attention, Raye claimed she began receiving threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the post.

She took to her Instagram page to express her disappointment at what she described as an attempt to stifle her voice, insisting she had only spoken the truth about the country’s reality.

Corps member apologises to govt after calling Lagos ‘smelling state’

JUST IN: Wike revokes land allocation to PDP national secretariat

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land of the Peoples Democratic Party’s national secretariat, which is situated in Abuja.

Wike issued the revocation notice in a letter dated March 13, 2025, titled, “Notice of right of occupancy with file no: MISC 81346 in respect of plot no: 243 within central area district, Abuja,” on Tuesday.

It was signed by the Director, Land Administration (FTC), Chijioke Nwankwoeze.

JUST IN: Wike revokes land allocation to PDP national secretariat

NLC replies Obasanjo, says he can’t rewrite history

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has hit back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his criticism of trade union leaders, calling his remarks unfair and historically hypocritical.

In a scathing statement issued by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the union dismissed Obasanjo’s claims that labour leaders have failed their members, pointing instead to past government actions—including those under Obasanjo’s watch—that have systematically weakened workers’ rights.

“We are delighted to have an ally in a personality as distinguished as our former President,” Ajaero remarked, referencing Obasanjo’s recent book, Nigeria: Past and Future, where the ex-president acknowledged that the minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep.

However, the NLC leader was quick to counter Obasanjo’s claim that workers had been “victims of those meant to protect their interests.”

“It is malevolent governments and predatory employers that deny workers these rights and not union leaders,” Ajaero fired back, rejecting Obasanjo’s attempt to blame labour leaders for workers’ struggles.

The NLC reiterated that its demand for a ₦610,000 minimum wage was based on the harsh realities of Nigeria’s economic crisis.

Instead, it said the government, backed by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), offered a paltry ₦50,000 without any clear breakdown of how workers were expected to survive on such an amount.

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“This inevitably led to a stalemate in negotiations and ultimately, a strike action which was suspended only after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over negotiations and made the offer of ₦70,000,” Ajaero explained.

He added that the union had little choice but to accept the inadequate offer to “minimise the pain” for Nigerian workers.

But Ajaero made a shocking revelation: “President Tinubu did accept to pay ₦250,000, which was our last threshold, but subject to raising the pump price of petrol to ₦2,500 or more per litre.”

Faced with this ultimatum, he said the NLC opted for ₦70,000 rather than plunging Nigerians into even deeper economic hardship.

The NLC statement also took direct aim at Obasanjo’s history with trade unions, questioning his credibility on labour matters.

“Which founding fathers is he talking about here? The ones the colonial masters harassed or the ones he, Chief Obasanjo, either banned or detained?” the statement read.

The NLC reminded Nigerians that under Obasanjo’s presidency, labour leaders were arrested, detained, and even killed for standing up for workers’ rights.

“Who knows, he might find himself culpable,” Ajaero declared, accusing Obasanjo of trying to “proscribe the Nigeria Labour Congress” when he failed to bend it to his will.

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The statement further exposed Obasanjo’s past actions, including his alleged attempt to create a rival labour centre when he couldn’t control the NLC.

Obasanjo had also accused some labour leaders of seeking political office while in union positions.

But the NLC dismissed this as unfounded criticism, pointing out that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grants union leaders the right to contest elections.

“We would like to let him understand, with all due respect, that the right to political leadership is enshrined in the law. The Supreme Court decision on this is affirmatory!” the NLC stated.

It further reminded Obasanjo that during his tenure as president, the NLC had already produced governors directly from union leadership, making his criticism baseless.

In a final statement dripping with defiance, Ajaero warned that governments should stop undermining unions for their selfish interests.

“Do you still arrest or beat up people after paying them to keep quiet? There is something amiss here,” he declared, demanding that a so-called “senior government official” who made allegations against union leaders should come forward with evidence or remain silent.

Despite the strong words, the NLC maintained that it still respects Obasanjo as an elder but made it clear that it will not accept misrepresentation of facts.

NLC replies Obasanjo, says he can’t rewrite history