Hannatu Musawa says her appoint-ment as Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy while serving as a corp member under the NYSC scheme does not in any way violate any existing law.
The Minister who reacted for the first time in public since controversy started brewing over her new position noted in a statement that there is nowhere in the Constitution or the Act establishing the NYSC that she is debarred from taking up an appointment.
Hannatu has found herself, albeit unwillingly, in the eye of the storm after she was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu as a minister.
Some Nigerians have since she took the oath of office last Monday faulted her elevation to a ministerial position.
These Nigerians argue that she does not need to serve as minister while participating in the NYSC scheme.
Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy insists that serving under the NYSC scheme does not impede her right to enjoy a political appointment.
Recall that the mandatory one-year programme is designed primarily for Nigerian graduates who are not more than 30 years old.
But in a personal statement issued on Sunday, the Kano-born female argued that her appointment does not amount to a contravention of any law in the country.
Taking her case directly to the Nigerian people, Hannatu admitted that she is truly serving as a corper and explained why she could not graduate from the scheme in 2001 when she was initially mobilised.
“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 the 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 for the last 8 months before my current appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
President Bola Tinubu (right) and Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts Culture and Creative Economy seen standing side by side. The Minister further remarked, “I would 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 corps member.
“It must be said that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of our Constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving corps member cannot be appointed by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority into political positions.
“Equally, no part of our existing laws and the NYSC Act says that a corps member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There are no legal or constitutional limitations whatsoever.”
Insisting, “I have not broken any law of Nigeria”, Hannatu stated, “In fact, in a decided case before a Federal High Court Abuja in 2021, Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the grundnorm, does not require anyone to even present a first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate to be appointed a Minister in Nigeria.”
She stressed her desire to serve the country and said her resolve to participate in the youth scheme further proves that point.
“I will continue to serve my country using every opportunity and platform,” the minister said.
She added, “My current NYSC status which will end in another 4 months will not in any way 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.”
Hannatu rose severally in defence of Tinubu’s capacity to man the office of President when there were attempts in the media to portray him as a sick and old man who cannot be counted upon to lead the nation.
Today, it is her turn after she was sworn-in to fight another battle launched this time by certain forces and interests that are intent on stopping her match forward.
Moves are being made as the controversy grows wings to compare her situation to the Kemi case.
However, the circumstances are different when the facts are put side by side, our Correspondent reports.
Whereas Kemi was indicted on grounds that she never served under the NYSC scheme, Hannatu was picked as a minister by the Tinubu administration while serving out her term as a corper.