Comrade Lanre Ogundipe, a former president of the African Union of Journalists (AUJ) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has cautioned the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) from punishing Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos State.

Ogundipe declared this in a statement that was made public on Monday morning.

It was learnt that Uguamaye in a video uploaded online attacked President Bola Tinubu’s government over the plight of the economy.

In response, Ogundipe stated that the government and its representatives should not silence the young woman or limit her voice.

In a statement headlined “Let Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos State breathe,” the former president of the NUJ emphasized that the right to free speech is fully in section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

He noted that the right to freedom of expression is also protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.

He said, “Freedom of Speech is fully embedded in 1999 constitution section 3. This section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution: states: ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference’.

“The right to freedom of expression is also protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with code number LA/24B/832 serving in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos who came under fire for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s government over the state of the economy.

“Every Youth must stand to protect and shield the lady from further infringement on her fundamental right. She should be encouraged for her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred. Her coming to join the frailty of the dwindled right activists has added to the rise and agitation that new voices should come up as the rank and voices of the older activists seem not to be effective as before.

“The voice of the young lady must not be stifled or restricted by the government and its agents. Therefore, officials of the National Youth Service Corps must stop forthwith the invitation asking Rita to report at the Eti-Osa local government secretariat of the NYSC. The action is viewed to force her to pull down the video on social media and issue her with various forms of punitive sanctions.