The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has accused the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa of serving as a minister while still undertaking the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme.
In a statement on Thursday, HURIWA alleged that years back, Musawa abandoned her NYSC in Ebonyi State but later showed interest in completing it.
The group claimed that the minister was remobilised this year and got posted to a law firm in Abuja before her appointment.
The group urged the NYSC to compel Musawa to focus on either her national youth service or the ministerial appointment.
“She was confirmed by the senate without proper screening and sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as minister of arts.
“HURIWA wonders about the kind of scrutiny being conducted by the Department of State Services so much so that it wasn’t disclosed that the minister is a youth corper,” the statement added.
The Director of Press and Public Relations at the NYSC headquarters, Eddy Megwa confirmed to TheCable on Thursday, that the minister is a corps member.
“Yes she is a serving corp member,” he was quoted as saying.
A lawyer, Victor Giwa said the minister should be in her Place of Primary Assignment if she was serving.
He said, “If it is true that she is serving, she is not meant to hold public service at this time. In as much as she has enrolled to serve, everything she should be doing through her PPA. In fact, she ought to be in her PPA if it is true. I think this should have been spotted during the screening.”
The Minister is yet to confirm or give an official statement regarding the issue.
Folarin Kehinde is an Abuja-based journalist with over 5 years of experience in journalism. His work has earned him national and international recognition across various beats, including environment, health and politics.
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