Toba Owojaiye reporting
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) spokesperson, Eddy Megwa, and renowned lawyer Femi Falana, have pointed out the illegal act committed by Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, who is serving as a minister while still undergoing her mandatory one-year NYSC service.
Megwa confirmed that Musawa has been serving for the past eight months in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), despite the NYSC Act prohibiting corps members from taking government jobs until completion of their service. Falana highlights that Section 2 of the NYSC Act supports this fact, stating that only citizens below 30 years of age are eligible for the national youth service.
Legal expert Abeny Mohammed emphasizes the breach of the NYSC Act and the inconsistency and disregard for the law exhibited in this situation. Mohammed criticizes the appointment of Musawa as a minister while she is still an active corps member, highlighting the need for adherence to the laws governing employment and service.
This development sheds light on the necessity for individuals to respect and follow the provisions of the NYSC Act, ensuring the completion of the one-year service or obtaining an exemption certificate before accepting employment roles. The case of Musawa epitomizes the disregard for regulations and raises concerns about the consistency in policy implementation across different sectors.