By Christiana Ekpa
National Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Dickson Akor, has commended the House of Representatives for passing establishment Bill of the Corps.
Thursday’s passage of the Bill was the third attempt at pushing the establishment Bill to becoming law.
The proposed law is title; A Bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Peace Corps to facilitate Peace, Volunteerism, Community Services, Neighbourhood watch and Nation Building and for Related Matters (HB. 309 & 482) and for Related Matters (HB.98).
Addressing reporters after the passage, Akor said “this is the third time running that the House of Representatives is passing the Bill. It shows that there is merit, there is justification in what is before the National Assembly, as being capable of addressing the socioeconomic challenges confronting Nigerian youths.
“The fact that the functions being given to the Nigerian Peace Corps, it will also add value to the security architecture in Nigeria, so we thank God that the Bill was passed , in it will rekindle the hope of the vast majority of our members.
“We remain eternally grateful to the House of Representatives for the expeditious manner they handled the Bill under the leadership of Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas. We are gratful to his leadership and the entire members of the National Assembly.”
He recalled that last attempt which did not get assent of former President Muhammadu Buhari was not because of any identified issues in the Bill, but that it was transmit close to the exit of the president.
Earlier at the plenary, Majority Leader of the House Prof Julius Ihonvbere said the Corps when established will encourage volunteerism, and get a good number of Nigerian youths engaged, as well as reduce crime.
Meanwhile, the bill will now be forwarded to the Senate for concurrence.
