The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has leveled accusations against Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, asserting that she assumed her ministerial role while still undergoing the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. In an official statement issued on Thursday, HURIWA alleged that Musawa, in a previous instance, had abandoned her NYSC responsibilities in Ebonyi state, only to express renewed interest in fulfilling the obligation.

According to HURIWA, the minister was recently mobilized for the NYSC program and subsequently assigned to a law firm in Abuja before her ministerial appointment. The organization implored the NYSC to intervene and guide Musawa in making a definitive choice between her national youth service duties and her ministerial commitments.

Highlighting the appointment process, HURIWA pointedly criticized the Senate’s confirmation of Musawa without what it perceived as a thorough screening. The group’s statement underscored its bafflement at the Department of State Services’ apparent oversight regarding Musawa’s dual roles, noting that her status as a youth corper had not been disclosed.

Despite attempts to reach out to the Director of Press and Public Relations at NYSC headquarters, Eddy Megwa, there was no response to calls or messages. However, TheCable reported on Thursday that Megwa confirmed Musawa’s active involvement as a corps member.

Efforts to contact Minister Hannatu Musawa were also unfruitful, as she did not answer phone calls or respond to messages concerning the matter.

Commenting on the situation, legal expert Victor Giwa stressed the importance of adhering to the rules of the NYSC program. He indicated that if the allegations were true, Musawa’s focus should be directed towards her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) rather than holding public office concurrently. Giwa emphasized that such discrepancies should ideally have been addressed during the screening process.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Minister Hannatu Musawa’s simultaneous involvement in the NYSC program and her ministerial position has sparked concerns and raised questions about proper scrutiny during the appointment process. HURIWA’s allegations and the subsequent confirmation by the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations have brought this issue to the forefront of public discourse.