Hannatu Breaks Silent On Controversy Of Retaining Office While Serving As NYSC Member

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture & Creative Economy, has broken her silence on the controversy of retaining office while serving as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

VerseNews reports that Musawa while addressing news men said the insinuation on social media that there is a breach of law in the Nigeria’s constitution is false.

She stated that the constitution or the NYSC Act did not forbid a serving corps member from been appointed by the president of the country.

 “I will like to state clearly that contrary to wrong insinuations and false assumptions in a section of the mainstream media and social media where false accusations have been made, there is no breach of any law or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended regarding my current position as a Minister and status as serving Corp member.”

“It must be said that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of the our constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving Corp member can not be appointed by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority into political positions.

“Equally, no part of our existing laws and NYSC Act says that a corps member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There is no legal and constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any law of Nigeria,” she said.

What does the NYSC Act said?

The NYSC Act recognizes that corps members who have successfully completed their service year may be offered employment opportunities within the government, subject to certain conditions.

One of the provisions related to this is contained in the NYSC Act, Decree No. 51 of 1993 (now an Act of the National Assembly), specifically in Section 2, Subsection 1(b).

This provision states that one of the objectives of the NYSC scheme is to “raise the moral tone of the community in which the corps members are posted.” This objective can include encouraging the engagement of corps members in community development and government-related activities, including public service roles.

Additionally, the NYSC Act provides provisions that allow government institutions to request for the services of corps members for various public service roles. These roles can range from teaching positions in schools to administrative roles in government agencies and ministries.

The details of such appointments and engagements are often subject to guidelines and arrangements made by relevant government bodies.

OPINION: So can the President appoint a serving corp member?

No, the President of Nigeria cannot appoint a serving National Youth Service Corps member as a Minister.

According to the NYSC Act and its regulations, serving corps members are required to complete their mandatory one-year service before seeking or accepting full-time employment or political appointments.

The NYSC Act is designed to ensure that corps members fulfill their service obligation to the nation before pursuing other career opportunities. This provision is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the NYSC program and promoting the principle of national service.

Therefore, while a serving corps member may be engaged in community development and public service roles during their service year, they are not eligible for full-time employment, political appointments, or ministerial positions until they have completed their NYSC service and obtained their discharge certificate.