Politics
No Law Bars Me From Being Minister While Serving As Corps Member- Hannatu
No Law Bars Me From Being Minister While Serving As Corps Member- Hannatu
The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa has said her appointment does not violate the country’s law contrary to claims in several quarters.
It could be recalled that Hannatu was sworn in minister last Monday with many Nigerians faulting her appointment since she is a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a mandatory one-year program for Nigerian graduates not more than 30 years.
However, in a personal statement issued on Sunday, she argued that her appointment is not a contravention of the country’s laws.
“I would 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 corps member,” she maintained.
“It must be said that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of our Constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving corps 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 the NYSC Act says that a corps member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There are no legal or constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any law of Nigeria.
“In fact, in a decided case before a Federal High Court Abuja in 2021, Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the groundnorm, does not require anyone to even present a first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate to be appointed a Minister in Nigeria.”
While reiterating her desire to serve the country, she said her participation in the NYSC scheme further buttresses that.
“I will continue to serve my country using every opportunity and platform,” the minister added. “My current NYSC status which will end in another 4 months will not in any way impede the discharge of my duties as Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, which, on its own, is a higher call to national service.”
READ HER FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
The last couple of days have witnessed a barrage of media attacks and misinformation about me following my appointment and swearing-in as the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
I want to, again, thank President Tinubu for finding me worthy and for giving me the opportunity to serve the country I love as one of his Ministers.
It is true I am currently on the NYSC national service which I began 8 months ago as a matter of duty and devotion to my country, having been unable to complete the scheme since I was first mobilised in 2001. I started the mandatory national service as a Corp member deployed to Akwa-Ibom State (pls confirm state) in 2001 upon the completion of my university education. I could not complete the service the same year after my redeployment to Kaduna State due to family obligations. Despite this, it has been my personal resolve and commitment that I will always fulfill this national duty whenever I am opportune to do so.
I applied to NYSC to be mobilised again for national service last year. NYSC graciously mobilised and deployed me to serve in Abuja where I have been serving for the last 8 months before my current appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I would 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 corps member.
It must be said that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of our constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving corps 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 the NYSC Act says that a corp member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There are no legal or constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any law of Nigeria.
In fact, in a decided case before a Federal High Court Abuja in 2021, Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the grundnorm, does not require anyone to even present a first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate to be appointed a Minister in Nigeria.
I decided to participate in the current NYSC programme in fulfillment of my own personal commitment and out of a sense of duty which I am proud of.
I will continue to serve my country using every opportunity and platform. My current NYSC status which will end in another 4 months will not in any way impede the discharge of my duties as Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, which, on its own, is a higher call to national service.
I use this medium to publicly restate my loyalty and rededicate myself to the service of Nigeria. I will continue to serve faithfully and with all my energy to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu for a better, greater, and more prosperous Nigeria.
Hannatu Musawa
Minister of Art, Culture & Creative Economy
August 27, 2023
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Politics
Reps Appropriations Chair, Bichi, Supports Kano Schools with 13 Buses
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has distributed 13 buses to tertiary institutions in Kano State to enhance teaching, learning and institutional mobility.
The buses were presented to selected universities, colleges of education, polytechnics and secondary institutions to ease transportation challenges faced by staff and students during academic, administrative and extracurricular activities.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Bichi said the intervention was aimed at supporting educational institutions to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
According to him, education remains the bedrock of development and requires sustained support to thrive.
“Providing these buses is our modest contribution towards creating an enabling environment for learning and academic excellence in Kano State,” he said.
Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, noted that the initiative aligned with his commitment to attracting meaningful interventions to the education sector through his legislative responsibilities.
“As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I consider it a duty to ensure that institutions in Kano State benefit from opportunities that enhance their capacity,” he added.
Details of the distribution showed that Bayero University, Kano; Northwest University, Kano; and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, each received two buses, while the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, also received two buses.
Other beneficiaries include Yusuf Maitama Sule University of Education, Kano; Kano State Polytechnic; Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education; Ibrahim Ayagi Science Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa; and Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, which each received one bus.
Representatives of the beneficiary institutions expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful.
One of the officials said the buses would significantly reduce transportation challenges and support academic fieldwork, student movement and official engagements.
Stakeholders described the distribution as a demonstration of the dividends of democracy and called for sustained collaboration between lawmakers and educational institutions to further strengthen education in Kano State.
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Politics
Kano, Bauchi assemblies deepen cooperation on lawmaking, revenue
Kano State House of Assembly and the Bauchi State House of Assembly have agreed to strengthen cooperation aimed at improving lawmaking processes and reforming revenue administration in both states.
The resolution was reached when members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, led by the Chairman, Committee on Finance, paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Ismail Falgore.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Speaker’s Spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Shawai on Wednesday in Kano.
Falgore, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Butu -Butu, commended the Bauchi lawmakers for the visit and reaffirmed the Kano Assembly’s commitment to deepen collaboration in legislation, House procedures and revenue-related reforms.
Falgore who responded to a condolence message from the Bauchi delegation, said the Kano Assembly was still mourning the loss of two of its members and appreciated the show of solidarity.
He also assured the delegation that the Kano State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Revenue Harmonization Law of 2016 remained in force and was available for review by the Bauchi Assembly.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the Kano State House of Assembly, Lawal Hussain Dala, said the harmonised tax law was enacted to eliminate multiple taxation and enhance efficiency in revenue collection.
Dala recalled the long-standing relationship between Kano and Bauchi states, noting that Bauchi had influenced Kano’s political development since the era of Malam Aminu Kano, with both states benefiting from shared legislative experiences.
Similarly, the Clerk of the house,, Alhaji Bashir Diso, emphasised the importance of the harmonised tax law to both states and thanked the Bauchi delegation for the visit.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Committee on Finance, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Tanko Nura, commended the performance of Kano’s Appropriation Committee and other standing committees.
He said the visit was aimed at exchanging ideas and seeking approval to obtain a copy of the harmonised tax law for study and possible implementation in Bauchi State.
The document, he explained, would be studied in detail with a view to assessing its applicability and potential implementation in Bauchi State, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s fiscal framework and enhance revenue generation for sustainable development.
“We are committed to working together, learning from Kano’s achievements over the years and doing what is best for our people,” Tanko said.
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Politics
Kano Lawmakers condemn killing of woman, six children
The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Jibril Falgore, has condemned the killing of a woman and her six children in the state, describing the incident as barbaric and heartbreaking.
Falgore, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kamaluddeen Shawai, said the arrest of three suspects by the Nigeria Police Force was a welcome development toward ensuring justice for the victims.
He urged security agencies to carry out thorough investigations to ensure that all those involved in the crime were brought to justice.
The Speaker commended the swift response of the police, noting that crimes of such nature must not be allowed to go unpunished in the state.
“This shocking incident committed against an innocent woman and her children is painful and unacceptable. While we commend the police for arresting suspects, investigations must be exhaustive until justice is fully served,” he said.
Falgore aligned himself with the call by the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for prompt and transparent handling of the case to reassure residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He assured that the Kano State House of Assembly would continue to support security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and security across the state.
The Speaker expressed condolences, on behalf of the Assembly, to the families of the victims, the government and the people of Kano State, urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked Allah to grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
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