“How the father of viral NYSC member who criticized Tinubu died protesting government demolition” – Journalist

Fresh details have emerged about the tragic story of the father of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who went viral for calling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a “terrible leader.”

Journalist and human rights activist Agba Jalingo has revealed how her father, an immigration officer, lost his life while protesting the demolition of farmlands for the Obudu International Airport project in Cross River State.

Jalingo, who hails from the same hometown as Uguamaye in Obudu, shared that in May 2019, her father had invested his life savings into developing a palm plantation in his village, Ukambi.

When he learned that farmlands in neighboring communities had already been demolished and his land was next, he rushed home to confront the bulldozers.

Dressed in his official uniform, he stood in front of the machine in a desperate attempt to stop the demolition.

However, during the protest, he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital in Obudu. Due to the severity of his condition, he was later transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where he passed away.

Despite the devastating loss, Jalingo stated that the family never received any compensation from the government.

Uguamaye, now 24, was just 19 when she lost her father. Jalingo argued that her personal experience with government failure and injustice likely fueled her frustration, leading to her viral outburst on TikTok, where she emotionally criticized Tinubu’s leadership.

Jalingo’s Statement read in part:

“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.”

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