By Ismail Auwal
Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, recalls how she cried every day for three months following her National Youth Service Corps certificate saga.
She said she had to undergo counseling and therapy for the period.
Adesosun, while speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Jesus House Church’s Uncommon Woman Conference in the United Kingdom, said her life was at a standstill while she dealt with shame, betrayal, disappointment, and humiliation.
The former minister said, “That period of life was tough for me. I went to step into the shoes of someone like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. So, I was under fire from day one, it looked like things were not working.”
“Then all of a sudden, the economy started to improve. It was like I was beginning to see the desired result. Then out of nowhere, the certificate scandal came. And before I knew it, everything turned upside down. And that was how the issue went viral,” she said.
Adeosun said it was sad that she was even unable to tell her side of the story and had to resign when she could no longer bear it.
The former minister said, “I was born and raised in the United Kingdom; indeed, my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of 34 were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. When I finished school, there was no opportunity for dual citizenship; I either renounce my British citizenship or hold on to it and work here. I didn’t renounce mine. I finished school at 21 and started working at 22.”
She explained that she obtained her first Nigerian passport at the age of 34 and when she relocated.
“There was debate as to whether the NYSC law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to the NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of 30, I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.”
“On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those I thought were trusted associates, the NYSC was approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question.”
Adeosun confirmed that she had never worked in the NYSC, visited the premises, or been aware of or familiar with their operations, “so I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was not genuine.”
“Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for the Department of State Services clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. I sought legal advice and there was no problem I could get an exemption for the NYSC.
“I was so ashamed at that time because I was into teenagers’ mentoring and all of that. So, the experience negated the lessons I had taught my teenagers. I cried every day for three months; I didn’t do anything for anyone or myself for those months. I just cried, cried, and cried.”
She added, “I thought I would feel better when I got vindicated by the court but I still wasn’t happy. The court cleared my name three years later but it took another time of counselling and therapy before I felt better.
“It was thereafter I forged ahead with life and started my charity work.”
