A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, has apologized for calling Lagos a “smelling state” in a viral video.
Raye, who is currently serving in Lagos, made the controversial statement in a TikTok video where she also criticized President Bola Tinubu over the country’s economic challenges. The video quickly spread online, sparking reactions from Lagos residents and NYSC officials.
However, in an Instagram post on Monday, Raye expressed regret over her remarks and acknowledged that her words may have offended people.
“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,” she wrote.
I Didn’t Mean to Insult Lagos Residents”
Raye explained that her comments were based on personal observations as someone new to the city and were not meant to insult those who call Lagos home. She admitted that her choice of words may have been insensitive but insisted that she only wanted to share her experience.
“As a visitor here, I could tell there was a difference in the atmosphere and quality of air. If the way I put it triggered your emotions and love for your birth state, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to talk down on Lagos,” she clarified.
Her Viral Video Was Part of a “Rant Challenge”
Raye further revealed that her controversial video was part of a larger plan—a 30-day “rant challenge” aimed at highlighting Nigeria’s pressing social and economic issues. She had initially planned to make at least 20 videos addressing various concerns, hoping to gain attention by the 20th day. However, her very first video unexpectedly went viral.
She explained, “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 in speaking to the government.
“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.”
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Highlighting Economic Hardships Faced by Young Nigerians
Beyond her remarks about Lagos, Raye also shed light on the financial struggles faced by young Nigerians. She pointed out that despite working more than 45 hours a week, she and many others still struggle to afford basic leisure activities.
“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?” she questioned.
According to Raye, many Nigerians spend their entire week working but are unable to enjoy life due to the rising cost of living.
We Must Continue to Demand Better
Despite the controversy surrounding her remarks, Raye urged Nigerians to stay focused on pushing for better living conditions rather than being distracted by temporary debates.
“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.
Her statement has generated mixed reactions, with some people appreciating her honesty about economic struggles while others believe she should have been more careful with her choice of words.