Last week on social media, INEC explained its phone ban, NYSC reared its head (again) and the Nigeria Air logo was suspended...

In the midst of many burning issues, the Special Assistant on Digital Media to the Nigerian President found it important to amplify the public spat between two former governors of Cross River State, Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke. But this is no way distracted social media from the fact that a combination of the Police, DSS and the Senate cannot successfully screen nominees for political appointments.

Last week started and ended with the same topic trending; the importance and relevance of the National Youth Service Corp scheme. (Former) Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun resigned over allegations she forged an NYSC exemption certificate.

If you thought you heard the last of the subject after she jetted out to London, the week would later prove you wrong as the current Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, (who wants to be governor of Oyo State) was also found to have - by his own admission – deliberately skipped mandatory national service.

Unlike Adeosun who kept mum during her saga, the trained lawyer has defended his action, boldly stating that his first political post after graduation could suffice as national service, a claim lawyers and NYSC insiders consider as ludicrous and untenable.

Obviously, the next question is how he managed to end up with a law degree. He might need all his training in the near future as skipping service is an offence under

NYSC law, punishable with up to 12 months imprisonment.

Meanwhile, pop star Davido spent the week campaigning for his uncle’s quest to be governor of Osun State. Only snag is, Davido should be at the NYSC orientation camp in Lagos after enrolling for the scheme a couple of weeks ago.

He left camp a day after registration to embark on a tour of the US which he cancelled midway because - in his own words – he needed to return to truly participate in the scheme. It won’t be surprising if at some point in future, he’ll tow the Shittu path and claim campaigning for Ademola Adeleke amounts to national service.

By the time you read this, Adeleke may or may not be governor-elect of Osun State. What is certain is that this week will be interesting, considering the Police are itching to arrest him for impersonation and examination malpractices. It’s hard to keep up with his alleged crimes, but they also all centre on certification and eligibility to hold public office.

What isn’t in doubt is that he sat for only one paper – English - out of the usual eight or nine, and got the lowest grade possible when he wrote his West Africa Examination Council Exam (WAEC) in 1981. But the law says this is enough for him to aspire to the office of governor, which then poses a befuddling question: if attending secondary school is the only requirement to attain the highest office in the land, why is one compelled to have a tertiary education degree (with an NYSC certificate in many instances) to gain any form of reasonable employment in Nigeria?

Answering this might be easier than wrapping your head round the Nigeria Air debacle. The launch of the airline has been suspended in air. Or the airline logo to be precise. All the Minister of Aviation had to do was issue a terse statement on Twitter. Like many analysts warned, it was all hot air.

With social media, the government will be reminded of this and many more embarrassing issues. Because luckily, unlike Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, some of us are allowed to talk after Jagaban has spoken.