‘I AM SORRY,’ CORPS MEMBER APOLOGISES AFTER REFERRING TO LAGOS AS ‘SMELLING STATE’ IN VIRAL VIDEO
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Ushie Uguamaye, commonly known as Raye, a member of the National Youth Service Corps headquartered in Lagos, has apologized for “talking down” about Lagos after going viral last week for her criticism of the administration.
Raye apologized for her language choice on Instagram on Monday, acknowledging that her remarks might have hurt Lagos people.
She stressed that her goal was to offer her candid observations as a guest, not to disparage individuals who live in Lagos.
She clarified that the contentious statement was a component of a larger campaign, a 30-day rant challenge designed to draw attention to urgent problems in Nigeria.
Her goal, she said, was to be heard and to inspire conversations about the country’s worsening economic conditions.
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.”
She continued by saying that her original goal was to publish 20 movies that addressed different societal issues in the hopes of igniting discussion by the twentieth day.
But the first video went viral almost instantly, connecting with a lot of Nigerians who were frustrated like her.
Raye also bemoaned the financial hardships that young Nigerians encounter, emphasizing that even with more than forty-five hours of labor per week, she and many others are still unable to pay for basic recreational activities.
“When I started the 30-day 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 at least 20 videos complaining until I was heard. Lucky for me, I didn’t even have to get to DAY 2 because a lot of us were 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 to hang 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.”
She advised Nigerians to not let short-lived scandals divert them from their demands for improved living conditions.
“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,” she added.
Since her TikTok video criticizing Nigeria’s inflation and economic suffering went viral on Saturday, Raye has been trending on social media across the country.
She criticized President Bola Tinubu as a “terrible leader” and voiced her displeasure with the expense of living in the video, casting doubt on the government’s attempts to alleviate the hardships of its people.
Online responses to her words about Lagos, especially when she referred to it as a “smelling state,” were divided; some people supported her views, while others disapproved of them.
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