The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has lodged an accusation against Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, asserting that she concurrently held the position of minister while fulfilling the obligatory one-year National Youth Service Corps plan.
HURIWA asserted in a formal statement issued on Thursday that Musawa had reportedly discontinued her participation in the National Youth Service Corps programme in Ebonyi state several years ago, but afterwards expressed a desire to resume and fulfil her obligations.
According to the group’s assertion, the minister was sent to a legal company in Abuja earlier this year before to her appointment.
The organisation strongly recommended that the NYSC enforce a requirement for Musawa to prioritise either her national youth service or her cabinet 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.
A report from The Cable also indicated that the minister is a corps member.
“Yes she is a serving corp member,” he was quoted as saying.
The Minister did not return calls to her line and had not yet replied to the message that had been left for her regarding the situation.
The minister should be in her Place of Primary Assignment if she is serving, according to lawyer Victor Giwa.
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.”
