By Enekorogha Godbless
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Lagos, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, has issued a public apology following a viral video in which she referred to Lagos as a "smelling state." The apology came after the video sparked significant backlash from residents of the state.
In a statement shared on her Instagram on Monday, Raye expressed regret over her choice of words, acknowledging that her comment might have offended Lagosians. She clarified that her intention was never to insult the people of Lagos but to share her perspective as a visitor to the state.
Raye explained that the comment was part of a broader initiative—a 30-day rant challenge she had started to raise awareness about Nigeria’s economic challenges. The goal of the challenge was to highlight issues within the country and encourage others to speak out. However, her first video quickly attracted attention, as many Nigerians shared her frustration with the country’s economic situation.
In her statement, Raye said, “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, explaining that her intention was to draw attention to the growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians. "When I started the 30-day rant challenge, 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, but Day 1 was enough to get people talking. Many of us are angry, and it resonated with people immediately."
Raye also addressed her own struggles, sharing her frustration about not being able to afford leisure activities despite working long hours. “I work 45+ hours a week, and I should be able to afford hanging out with my friends every weekend. But how many of us can actually afford that? We spend all week working and can’t even feel alive during the weekends.”
She urged Nigerians to continue advocating for better living conditions and opportunities, stating, "I encourage all of us to ask for what we believe we deserve. We may be distracted soon, but if we stay committed, we will get better."
Raye gained significant attention on Nigerian social media after posting the video on TikTok, where she voiced her frustration over the country’s economic hardship and inflation. In the video, she criticized President Bola Tinubu, calling him a "terrible leader," and questioned the government’s actions to address the issues. Additionally, she condemned the living conditions in Lagos, referring to the state as a “smelling state.”
After the video went viral, Raye claimed to have received threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, demanding that she take down the post. She later took to Instagram to express her disappointment over what she called an attempt to suppress her voice, asserting that she was simply speaking the truth about the country’s struggles.
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