Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa has denied allegations that she did not partake in the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps.
She stated this when she featured on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics programme.
Although she failed to speak elaborately on the allegations, she noted that at an appropriate time in the future, she will set the records straight.
She said, “You say that but I don’t know what you have heard. You know there has been so many different accounts of that particular situation. The fact that I am sat here should tell you that I didn’t do anything wrong.
“I have not come out to set the records straight as to really what happened. The social media has just run rife with different accounts. The matter has been adjudicated and one day I will come out with my own account and the fact that I’m sat here should tell you I didn’t do anything wrong.”
When told she owes Nigerians an explanation, she said, “What I can tell you is I have probably done more NYSC than yourself. I have done at least two years of NYSC in my life. Like I said one I would come out to give a proper account of what happened.
“I think what I owe Nigerians is to say that I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t break the law. And NYSC, I did, I finished, I got my NYSC.”
When told she completed the programme while in office, she said, “Well, maybe, maybe not. That is not the proper account.
“I can assure you that nothing was done to break the law or to break regulations. That is what I can say to you. Absolutely nothing. “Everything that I did was in accordance with the law; that is the situation, that is the position and like I said one day, I will come out with my own account of what happened to set the records straight but as of now, I think it is important for me to focus on giving Nigerians the deliverables.
“The fact that I am sat here and the fact that the matter was adjudicated in court should give Nigerians the satisfaction that I do deserve to as as any other Nigerian be given the opportunity to serve my country at this level.”
In August 2023, Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) questioned the suitability and legality of appointing Hannatu Musawa, who was described as a serving NYSC member as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.
Also in January, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking the court to sack the minister for allegedly violating the NYSC Act.
The NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law which filed the suit also asked the court to compel the NYSC to nullify the certificate given to the minister.
The association said the issuance of the certificate was contrary to the provisions of the NYSC Act Cap N84.LFN 2024.