The National Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Mr Dickson Akor, has expressed his admiration for the House of Representatives after they successfully passed the Peace Corps Bill to the Senate for concurrence.
Akor conveyed his commendation while responding to the bill’s passage in Abuja.
The Peace Corps Bill, titled “A bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Peace Corps to facilitate Peace, Volunteerism, Community Services, Neighbourhood watch, Nation Building,” was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday. This marks the third attempt at making the establishment bill into law.
Akor emphasized that this is the third time the bill has been passed by the House of Representatives, demonstrating the recognized merit of establishing the corps.
He further asserted that there is ample justification for what is being presented to the National Assembly, as the peace corps has the potential to address the socio-economic challenges faced by Nigerian youths.
“The peace corps will significantly contribute to the security architecture in Nigeria, and its passage will reignite hope among the majority of our members,” Akor stated gratefully, acknowledging the speedy handling of the bill under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Akor also recalled that the previous attempt, which did not receive approval from former President Muhammadu Buhari, was not due to any identified issues in the bill. He explained that the bill was transmitted nearing the end of the president’s term.
During the plenary, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader of the House, highlighted that the passage of the bill will encourage volunteerism and provide opportunities for a significant number of Nigerian youths, thereby reducing crime. (NAN)
