Former minister of finance, budget and national planning Kemi Adeosun on Wednesday made a rare public appearance at the birthday thanksgiving of Bola Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Mrs Adeosun resigned from her position in 2018 following public pressure over her submission of a fake National Youth Service Corps certificate. Since leaving the office, Adeosun has maintained a low profile, as she is rarely seen at political or other public functions.
In July 2021, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the former minister, being a British citizen, was not qualified to take part in the NYSC as of the time she graduated at the age of 22 from the University of East London in 1989.
Justice Taiwo held that when Adeosun formally returned to the country and became a Nigerian citizen at over 30 years, she was also not eligible to present herself for the NYSC service.
The court further held that the plaintiff did not require a discharge certificate of NYSC to qualify to contest election to the House of Representatives or to be appointed as a minister in Nigeria.
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While speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Uncommon Woman Conference organised by the Jesus House Church, United Kingdom, in March 2022, Adeosun stated that she was embarrassed by the incident. She said, “I was so ashamed at that time, because I was mentoring teenagers. That experience negated the lessons I had taught many teenagers. I cried every day for three months, and did nothing else.
“I thought I would feel better when I got vindicated by the court, but still, I was not happy. The court cleared my name three years later, but it took counselling and therapy before I felt better. It was after that I forged ahead with life and started my charity work.”
Adeosun posed for photos excitedly with other attendees at Mrs Obasanjo’s birthday thanksgiving.
