Certificate Controversy: NYSC Speaks On Authenticity Of Tunji-Ojo’s Certificate
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed the authenticity of its certificate issued to Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Premium Times had written a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to NYSC, seeking an explanation for the holes in the NYSC certificate presented by Tunji-Ojo.
In the letter sent to NYSC, the medium said the Minister claimed to have undergone the National Youth Service Scheme between November 2019 and November 2020.
But a scrutiny of his NYSC certificate showed that it was issued in February and signed by Yushau Ahmed, a Brigadier General, who only became NYSC Director-General (DG) in January.
The medium raised questions about the authenticity of the certificate Ojo presented to the National Assembly during his screening Ministerial nominee.
Meanwhile, in its response, NYSC said Tunji-Ojo’s certificate is genuine, noting that the nominee was first mobilised in 2006 but “absconded from the service.”
NYSC said the Minister only later resurfaced in 2018 and was remobilised in 2019 and deployed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Garki, Abuja, as his place of primary assignment.
The organisation, however, said Mr Tunji-Ojo’s certificate was omitted when others were printed in 2020.
“During the passing out, his Certificate of National Service was not available because it was omitted in the Certificate Printing Application,” the NYSC said.
“He (Mr Tunji-Ojo) applied for his Certificate of National Service through the State Coordinator FCT on 18th October 2022, and the State Coordinator forwarded the same to the Headquarters, and his Certificate of National Service No. A004523631 was produced on 28th February 2023 for collection.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
