The Senate on Thursday passed the Nigerian
Peace Corps Bill into law, thereby giving
approval for the establishment of the Nigerian
Peace Corps as an agency under the Ministry of
Interior.
Presenting the report of the Committee on
Interior on the floor of the Senate, the committee
chairman, Senator Bayero Nafada urged the
Senate to support the passage of the Bill, saying
“the organisation will be of great benefit to the
Nigerian youths”.
“In response to increasing complexity of the
factors responsible for insecurity and the method
by which peace and security is being undermined
in Nigeria, there is need to develop
comprehensive, multi-sectoral, multi stakeholders
and inclusive approaches in order to stem these
threats,” he said.
The Nafada-led committee recommended that
the Nigerian Peace Corps and the National Unity
and Peace Corps should be merged as one, since
both formations appear the same.
Speaking further, Senator Nafada said the
committee received 237 written memoranda and
numerous oral submissions from government
ministries, traditional institutions, religious
bodies, academia, NGOs, other various interest
groups and individuals.
“Two Hundred and Nineteen (219) of the written
memoranda received and most of the oral
presentations at the hearing supported the
establishment of the Nigerian Peace Corps while
Fourteen (14) supported the establishment of
National Unity and Peace Corps,” he revealed.
DAILY POST recalls that the Senate at its sitting
on Thursday 10th March, 2016 debated on the
general principles of the Nigerian Peace Corps
Bill, 2016 (SB.173) sponsored by Senator Ali
Ndume (Borno South); and the National Unity
and Peace Corps Bill, 2016 (SB.183) sponsored
by Senator Binta Garba Masi (Adamawa North);
and referred to one of its committee for further
legislative action.
The senate committee on Interior also conducted
public hearing on Wednesday 20th April 2016,
where it elicited the views of the stakeholders
and the general public on the merits and
otherwise of the two Bills.
The Nigerian Peace Corps Bill among others,
seeks to empower, develop and provide gainful
employment for the youths, to facilitate Peace,
Volunteerism, Community Services,
Neighbourhood Watch and Nation-building.
As recommended, the Head of the Corps shall be
referred to as Commandant-General (CG) with
six Deputy Commandant – General (DCGs) and
six Assistant Commandant – General (ACGs),
drawn from the six geopolitical zones which
should reflect the Federal Character principle.
Source: dailypost.ng/2016/11/24/breaking-news-senate-passes-nigerian-peace-corps-bill/

YES