Eddy Megwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has raised concerns about a breach of the NYSC Act by Mrs. Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts and Culture. According to Megwa, Minister Musawa is currently occupying a ministerial position while still engaged in her one-year youth service, which is in violation of the NYSC Act.
Megwa, in a phone conversation with our reporter, confirmed that the minister has been serving for the past eight months in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He explained that it is prohibited by the NYSC Act for any corps member to accept a government appointment until they have completed their one-year service.
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It was revealed that Mrs. Musawa was initially mobilized for the NYSC in 2001 and had her orientation program in Ebonyi State. However, she later relocated to Kaduna State to continue her service, but she did not complete the program as she absconded.
Megwa emphasized that the NYSC scheme would investigate the matter and take appropriate action as necessary.
Legal experts have also weighed in on the situation. Abeny Mohammed (SAN) pointed out that this action is a clear violation of the NYSC Act, which stipulates that individuals must have completed their service or obtained an exemption certificate before legally seeking employment.
Femi Falana (SAN) expressed similar views, highlighting that it is against the law for anyone still serving in the NYSC to accept a ministerial appointment. Falana referenced Section 2 of the NYSC Act, which mandates that every citizen who has graduated from a tertiary institution and is below the age of 30 must complete one year of compulsory national youth service. Those above the age of 30 are ineligible to participate in the service.
In summary, Mrs. Hannatu Musawa’s appointment as a minister while she is still in her NYSC service period is seen as a breach of the NYSC Act and a violation of the law by legal experts and the NYSC itself.
