Julius Okorie
Do you still remember nurse Ugbede Ojo, of the Smelly Lagos City fame? Well, the former staff of Gbagada General Hospital, has landed a better job abroad, after the backlash over her controversial tweet that almost brought down the roof at the Centre of Excellence.
Ojo had few months back dished out a tweet describing Lagos as a smelly city and expressed her disdain for the city in frustration.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“This Lagos is a smelly city. People smell, the streets smell, the gutters smell, the water smells, everything is smelly. I’m tired.”
The tweet, back in November last year, did not go unnoticed as it sparked mixed reactions. While some defended her right to express her views, others criticised her for being “disrespectful” to Lagos and its residents.
Some even demanded that actions be taken against her for the tweet, suggesting that she should bear the situation just as others are bearing it, in what looks like a reminder of Fela’s suffering and smiling song.
Reactions and some threats over the tweet forced her to offer an apology on 13 November 2024, saying : “I refer to my tweet of Sunday 10/11/24 on ‘Smelly Lagos.’ I am very sorry over this act of mine. Lagos is a Great city, liveable, land of opportunities with nice and friendly people. Please accept my unreserved apology over my action, which is highly regrettable.”
But in a twist of fate and in what could be described as a New Year surprise package, Ugbede announced her new job on X, writing, “I got the job, guys.”
Reflecting on her journey, she added: “Just remember that by this time last year, I was homeless in Lagos! Squatting with a friend and borrowing money to pay rent.
“One year later, I got my big girl job and big girl pay. I wondered when it would happen, but when it’s your turn, God will part the ocean!”
READ ALSO: Breaking: Lagos Assembly Sacks Obasa, Moji Ojora Takes Over
Ugbede who had earlier hinted that her job at the Gbagada Hospital was under threat, following the tweet, had her prayers answered as she got a mail offering her a soft landing.
“Hi #nurse_ugbede, trust you are having a beautiful morning. So, one of my Ogas asked me to reach out to you. Just in case anything happens to your job, and you are willing to work in another country, kindly notify me. Will share an email address you can forward your CV to too,” the user wrote, and like the say, the rest is now history.
Her announcement of a new job abroad has also triggered reactions, just like the tweet did months back.
Reacting to Ugbede’s new job, JAG @jagganiyu said: “The babe that said Lagos is smelling has gotten a job abroad and left. The people that said Lagos is not smelling are still here, inhaling the sweet, flowery, fresh aroma of Lagos.
Nurse Ugbede did not reveal her country of relocation, but there are strong indications that she will do so after settling down.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
