Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, has shed light on why she did not complete the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme she enrolled in 22 years ago.
The law mandates that all Nigerians who graduate from tertiary institutions, whether within or outside Nigeria, must undergo a 12-month NYSC programme. There are exemptions for individuals who are 30 years old before graduating, those who served for more than nine months in the armed forces or police, staff of Nigerian security organizations, and those who have received national honors.
However, Musawa, who reportedly enrolled in the NYSC programme but didn’t finish it, is currently serving in Abuja, a situation that has raised concerns within the NYSC.
The Director of Public Relations for the scheme, Eddy Megwa, stated that Musawa’s ministerial position contradicts the NYSC Act.
Megwa said that according to the NYSC Act, no corps member should take on any government appointment until completing the one-year service.
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He added that Musawa was initially mobilized in 2001 for the youth service in Ebonyi State, where she attended her orientation. However, she later moved to Kaduna State to continue the programme.
It was during her time in Kaduna that she absconded and didn’t complete the programme, according to Megwa. He noted that the scheme would thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate action as required.
In response, Musawa issued a personal statement on Sunday, asserting that she commenced the NYSC programme in 2001 but faced challenges completing it due to family reasons, leading to her absconding.
The statement reads: “The last couple of days have witnessed barrage of media attacks and misinformation about me following my appointment and swearing-in as the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I want to, again, thank President Tinubu for finding me worthy and for giving me the opportunity to serve the country I love as one of his Ministers.
“It is true I am currently on the NYSC national service which I began 8 months ago as a matter of duty and devotion to my country, having been unable to complete the scheme since I was first mobilised in 2001. I started the mandatory national service as a Corp member deployed to Akwa-Ibom State (pls confirm state) in 2001 upon the completion of my university education. I could not complete the service same year after my redeployment to Kaduna State due to family obligations. Despite this, it has been my personal resolve and commitment that I will always fulfill this national duty whenever I am opportune to do so.
“I applied to NYSC to be mobilised again for national service last year. NYSC graciously mobilised and deployed me to serve in Abuja where I have been serving in the last 8 months before my current appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
No Law Says NYSC member can’t be Minister – Musawa
“I will like to state clearly that contrary to wrong insinuations and false assumptions in a section of the mainstream media and social media where false accusations have been made, there is no breach of any law or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended regarding my current position as a Minister and status as serving Corp member.
“It must be said that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of the our constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving Corp member can not be appointed by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority into political positions. Equally, no part of our existing laws and NYSC Act says that a corps member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There is no legal and constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any law of Nigeria.
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“I decided to participate in the current NYSC programme in fulfillment of my own personal commitment and out of sense of duty which I am proud of.
“I will continue to serve my country using every opportunity and platform. My current NYSC status which will end in another 4 months will not in anyway impede the discharge of my duties as Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, which, on its own, is a higher call to national service. I use this medium to publicly restate my loyalty and rededicate myself to the service of Nigeria. I will continue to serve faithfully and with all my energy to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu for a better, greater and more prosperous Nigeria.”
GOOD EVENING NIGERIA reports that Musawa had experienced roadblock due to NYSC in 2020 when she was nominated as National Commissioner representing North West on the board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) by former President Muhammadu Buhari, but rejected by the 9th senate for failing to show evidence that she participated in the mandatory National Youth Service scheme.