Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has condemned the continued withholding of discharge certification from Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member whose case recently went viral.
In a statement shared via his verified X handle on Saturday, Sowore revealed that he had intended to advocate for Raye’s right to her discharge certificate — only to be detained unlawfully in Abuja under the current administration. Despite this setback, he reaffirmed that the promise to secure her justice remains firm.
“I was fully prepared to stand with Raye to ensure she received her @officialnyscng discharge certificate,” he said, adding that the delay appears to stem from punitive measures linked to her outspoken criticism of Nigeria’s economic crisis and governance.
Indeed, Raye’s previously viral video highlighted the struggles of corps members living on the ₦33,000 monthly allowance and criticized Nigeria’s leadership. That post helped ignite public debate and reportedly contributed to the NYSC increasing the allowance to ₦77,000 for corps members.
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“It was Raye’s courage that pushed the authorities to raise her colleagues’ allowance. We will not abandon her. Her fight is our fight,” Sowore declared, pledging continued advocacy until justice is served.
The episode has drawn attention not only to Raye’s predicament but also to broader issues of freedom of expression, procedural fairness, and administrative transparency within federal institutions.