Temitope Ajayi, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicly has described as “mischief” the misrepresentation that trailed his comment on a serving youth corps member who criticised the president and made other remarks against Lagos State over the weekend.

In a statement on Monday, Ajayi clarified that his comment was taken out of context, insisting that he asked the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to apply the “maximum punishment” of “expulsion” against the corps member, Rita Ushie Uguamaye,
for “indidcipline”.

The statement in full:

STATEMENT ON MY TWISTED COMMENT ON THE CORPS MEMBER

It has become imperative to dispel the misrepresentation and patent mischief that has trailed my comment on a Facebook post.

I suggested that flagrant and open abuse and disregard of NYSC by-laws and established protocol should attract the full NYSC disciplinary measures, particularly regarding a corps member’s recent display of imprudence.

It is trite to say the maximum punishment under the NYSC protocol is expulsion; nothing beyond the established norms and laws is suggested or remotely implied.

The NYSC scheme is a historic and treasured national programme that should not be sullied and ridiculed by indiscipline. It symbolises our triumph over division and consistent effort to forge a more potent and virile union.

Most importantly, we should abide by our old cherished values of dignity, discipline, and respect for one another as citizens.

Temitope Ajayi
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity

March 17, 2025