Again, Reps pass Peace Corps Bill

The House of Representatives on Thursday, passed a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps for the second time.

Daily Trust recalls that 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 of Representatives on Thursday, 12th October 2023.

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

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 organisation by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.