Tragic Story of Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s father emerges amid NYSC controversy

New details have surfaced about the heartbreaking story of the NYSC corps member who called Tinubu a ‘terrible president’ —Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s father, an immigration officer who tragically lost his life while protesting the demolition of farmlands for the Obudu International Airport project in Cross River State.

The revelation came from journalist and human rights activist Agba Jalingo, who disclosed that Uguamaye’s father had invested his life savings into developing a palm plantation in his hometown, Ukambi. In May 2019, upon learning that farmlands in neighboring communities had already been destroyed and his land was next, he rushed home to intervene.

Dressed in his official uniform, he stood in front of a bulldozer 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.

Jalingo, who hails from the same hometown as Uguamaye, lamented that despite the devastating loss, the family never received any compensation from the government.

Uguamaye, now 24, was only 19 when she lost her father. Jalingo suggested that her personal experience with government failure and injustice likely fueled the frustration that led to her viral TikTok video, where she criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.

“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,” Jalingo stated.

He further detailed how the officer had rushed to the site after hearing that bulldozers had arrived. “He arrived in his uniform and stood in front of the bulldozer, trying to stop it before other community members joined him. Sadly, he collapsed during the protest and later died in Calabar.”

Jalingo’s revelation sheds light on Uguamaye’s background and the deep personal loss that may have influenced her recent outburst, which led to a disciplinary summons from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).