''My Election Into The Oyo State House Of Assembly Is Equal To NYSC Certificate'' - Adebayo Shittu, Minister Of Communications

It appears the Buhari's government is in for an unending certificate scandal and forgery. The latest being the government's minister of Communication who was accused of skipping the mandatory National Youth Service. Reacting to the what remained an allegation until now, the minister said his election as a member of Oyo State house of Assembly a couple of years ago is equal to National Youth Service.

You may recall Premiumtimes in an exclusive report, alleged that Shittu never participated in the mandatory one-year NYSC service. When contacted for his reaction., Shittu said he served in the Oyo State House of Assembly shortly after graduation from University at age 25 and that should suffice for NYSC certificate.

 "The constitution provides for the qualification needed for state assembly members, NYSC is not there. I didn’t need it to become a member of the state assembly, and that is already a service." he said

Section 12 of the NYSC Act mandates all employers to demand the national service certificate of prospective employees before hiring.

Section 12 of the Act reads: “For the purposes of employment anywhere in the Federation and before employment, it shall be the duty of every prospective employer to demand and obtained from any person who claims to have obtained his first degree at the end of the academic year 1973-74 or, as the case may be, at the end of any subsequent academic year the following:

a) a copy of the Certificate of National Service of such person issued pursuant to section 11 of this Decree

b) a copy of any exemption certificate issued to such person pursuant to section 17 of this Decree

c) such other particulars relevant thereto as may be prescribed by or under this Decree.”

Section 13 of the Act also criminalises skipping the national service as it prescribes 12 months imprisonment or fine of N2,000 or both, for such offenders.