The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has denied a viral statement that claimed she is currently undergoing the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, which said that the minister had not released any official statement regarding the aforementioned matter and asked the public to be cautious of unverified information.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Hon. Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, has been drawn to a recently circulating piece titled: MY PERSONAL STATEMENT ON MY NYSC STATUS AS A SERVING MINISTER. The piece is inaccurately associated with her in relation to the current NYSC discussion.
“The Hon. Minister clarifies that she has not released any official statement regarding the aforementioned matter and kindly asks the public to be cautious of unverified information.
“I deeply value and appreciate the support, solidarity, and understanding of Nigerians in these times. For clarity, I wish to state that I have not issued any statement on the current issue.”
It was widely published on Sunday that Musawa had confirmed her NYSC scheme status.
The viral statement claimed that Musawa countered the NYSC, saying she did not break any law in Nigeria by taking up an appointment while still serving her fatherland, as, according to her, there are no legal and constitutional limitations whatsoever in that regard.
SaharaReporters on Thursday reported that a civic group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), said it had confirmed that Musawa was still a serving corps member.
On Saturday, the NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, confirmed it, saying the newly appointed minister had been serving for eight months.
The NYSC spokesperson, however, said that occupying the ministerial position while serving was in breach of the NYSC Act, adding that the scheme would take the necessary action on the matter.