A former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has revealed how she was able to move on with her life after the NYSC certificate saga while in office.
According to Adeosun, she wept every day without working for three months.
This was revealed at the 10th anniversary of the Uncommon Women Conference organized by the Jesus Church, United Kingdom. Adeosun said that she felt like she was in a horrible pit.
She said everything about her life was at a standstill while she had to deal with shame, betrayal, disappointment, and humiliation.
Adeosun explained,” That period of life was tough for me.” I want to step into the shoes of someone like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. S, 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”.
The former minister said,” I was born and raised in the United Kingdom; indeed my parental family home remains in London. M,y 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 1 and started working at ”
”I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of 34 and when I relocated, there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon inquiry as to my status relating to 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 associated, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to or familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine.
”Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate 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 NYSC.”
”I was so ashamed at that time because I was into teenager 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 counseling and therapy before I felt better.”
”It was thereafter, I forged ahead with life and started my charity work”.
(Nigerianeye)