Peace Corps Bill Passes In Reps

The clamour to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps got a boost yesterday as the House Representatives passed for third and final reading a Bill for an Act to establish the security outfit.

The Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill, which seeks to give statutory backing to the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria under the leadership of Dr Dickson Akoh, was unanimously passed by the 10th House on October 12, 2023.

However, less than two months after the passage, a motion for rescission on the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HBs 309 and 482) was moved on the floor of the House by Hon. Francis Waive.

He noted that after the passage of the Bill, new facts emerged that will strengthen the functions and the operational structure of the Corps hence, the need for the House to rescind its decision on the Bill and recommit it to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration and passage.

The Bill which was jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere among others, seeks to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps as a body charged with the responsibility to develop, empower and provide gainful employment to youths to facilitate peace, volunteerism, Community Services, Neighborhood Watch and Nation building.

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By this passage, the Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill will be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence and eventual transmission to the President for assent.

The Peace Corps of Nigeria established over 25 years ago by the National Commandant, Dr Dickson Akoh, is incorporated in Nigeria under the Company and Allied Matters (CAMA) Act and accorded the Federal Government recognition through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and granted license to operate in the Country as a Non-Governmental Organization by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Due to the value driven programs of the Corps, aimed at the socio-economic empowerment of the Nigerian youths and its onerous contributions to peace building and advocacy, the United Nations in 2013 accorded the organization a Special Consultative Status while the African Union in 2016 accorded same status to the organization, thus, making it a member of the Social and Economic Councils of both the United Nations and the African Union.

The organisation has a well-structured network of offices in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory FCT. It has a membership strength of over 187,000 comprising of both regular staff and volunteers.