Kemi Adeosun: I Cried Every Day For Three Months

A former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has
come out to reveal how she was able to forge ahead after
the National Youth Service Corps certificate saga.
Adeosun said she wept every day without working for
three months.
Adesosun, who spoke at the 10th anniversary of the
Uncommon Woman Conference organised by the Jesus
House Church, United Kingdom, explained that she felt like
she was in a horrible pit.
According to her, 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 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.”
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.
“I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of 34 and
when I 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. Having never
worked in the 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 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.”