The Director of Press and Public Relations at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Eddy Megwa, has revealed that the current Minister of Arts and Culture, Mrs. Hannatu Musawa, is in violation of the NYSC Act by holding her ministerial position while undergoing her one-year youth service.
In a phone conversation with Daily Trust, Megwa confirmed that the minister has been undergoing her service for the past eight months within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
GOOD EVENING NIGERIA reports that prior to Mrs Musawa’s appointment as a minister by President Bola Tinubu, Former President Muhammadu Buhari had on 29 September 2020 nominated her for appointment, but was rejected by the 9th senate for failing to show evidence that she participated in the mandatory National Youth Service scheme.
Former President Buhari appointed her as national commissioner representing Nigeria’s North-west geopolitical zone on the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) board, an appointment that came about three years after she served chairperson of the board of the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna.
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However the senate, on October 20, 2020, declined to approve her appointment following a report that she failed to provide evidence that she either participated in national service after graduating from the university or was exempted from the scheme.
Surprisingly, the Nigerian Senate contradicted itself and confirmed a nominee it rejected three years ago, for failing a condition she has yet to fulfil.
According to NYSC Director of Press, Mr Megwa, the NYSC Act prohibits any corps member from taking up a government appointment until the one-year service period is completed.
He revealed that Mrs Musawa was originally mobilised in 2001 for the youth service to Ebonyi State where she had her orientation programme but later relocated to Kaduna State to continue the programme.
He said it was when she got to Kaduna that she absconded and didn’t complete the programme.
Megwa noted that the scheme would look into the issue and take action where necessary.
It is against law – lawyers
Prominent legal minds, Abeny Mohammed (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN), have both weighed in on the matter, emphasizing that Mrs. Musawa’s situation represents a breach of the NYSC Act.
Abeny Mohammed noted that the act clearly stipulates that no individual can be legally employed or offer themselves for employment without completing the service or obtaining an exemption certificate.
Mohammed said, “The situation we have at hand is that this person is still serving as a corper and she has been appointed a minister. It shows the inconsistency in our policies and disregard for our laws.”
Similarly, Femi Falana highlighted the violation of the law that occurs when an individual simultaneously serves in the NYSC and accepts a ministerial appointment.
Falana referenced Section 2 of the NYSC Act, which mandates that citizens who graduate from tertiary institutions and are below 30 years of age must undergo the one-year compulsory national youth service.