The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, hannatu musawahas repudiated a statement purportedly released by her in connection with the controversy surrounding her status in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
A section of the media published a statement purportedly issued by Ms. Musawa on Sunday, stating that she had not violated any laws by simultaneously holding a ministerial position and performing national service.
However, in a statement by the Deputy Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Guidance, Suleiman Haruna, Ms. Musawa said that the published statement did not emanate from her and therefore dissociated herself from the content of the statement.
“The attention of attorney Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, has been drawn to an article that has recently circulated… The article is inaccurately associated with her in connection with the current NYSC debate,” Mr. Haruna said.
“The Hon. The Minister clarifies that she has not issued any official statement on the aforementioned matter and kindly requests the public to be careful with unverified information”.
The minister added: “For clarity, I wish to state that I have not issued any statement on the current issue.”
Background
The controversy over Musawa’s status at the NYSC began three years ago when she failed to provide evidence of national service to senators during selection for an appointment she was nominated for by former president Muhammadu Buhari.
But the controversy reached a new level in recent days after confirmation by the NYSC leadership that Ms. Musawa, who was sworn in as a minister by President Bola Tinubu last Monday, was still performing her national youth service.
Consequently, critics began calling for her to be removed from the ministerial position, insisting that she cannot keep both.
Newslodge also detailed how the controversy over Ms. Musawa’s status at NYSC has lasted for three years.
Interviews with sources and a review of documents revealed to this newspaper that there is a NYSC discharge certificate issued in Ms. Musawa’s name in 2003 and that she is in Corps custody. However, authorities are withholding the document after accusing her of absconding at one point during her year of service.
For his part, Musawa said the NYSC was not diligent and careful enough in pursuing his records and that he was not granted a fair hearing to prove he did not abscond.
Qosim Suleiman is a reporter for Premium Times in association with Report for the World, which pairs local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-reported issues around the world.
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