Fresh details have emerged about the heartbreaking story of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, the NYSC member who went viral for calling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a “terrible leader.”
Journalist and human rights activist Agba Jalingo has now revealed that Uguamaye’s father, an immigration officer, tragically lost his life while protesting against the demolition of farmlands for the Obudu International Airport project in Cross River State.
The Tragic Incident
According to Jalingo, Uguamaye’s father had invested his life savings into a palm plantation in his hometown, Ukambi. In May 2019, when he learned that neighboring farmlands had already been demolished and his was next, he rushed home to stop the bulldozers.
Wearing his official uniform, he stood in front of the machine, determined to protect his land. During the intense protest, he suddenly collapsed.
Despite being rushed to a hospital in Obudu, his condition worsened, and he was transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where he tragically passed away.
No Compensation for the Family
Jalingo also revealed that despite their painful loss, the family never received any compensation from the government for the seized farmland or their father’s untimely death.
At the time, Uguamaye was just 19 years old. Jalingo believes that her personal experience with government injustice and neglect likely fueled her frustration, leading to her viral outburst on TikTok against Tinubu.
Jalingo’s Statement
“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.
He had spent his lifetime savings developing that land. Upon hearing that his village, Ukambi, was next for demolition, he rushed home to stop the bulldozer.
He arrived in his uniform and stood in front of the bulldozer. While protesting, he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, later transferred to UCTH, where he died.”
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