The National Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Mr Dickson Akor has commended the House of Representatives for passing the Peace Corps Bill to Senate for concurrence.
Akor gave the commendation while reacting to the passage of the bill by the House of Reps in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the passage of the bill on Thursday was the third attempt at pushing the establishment bill to become law.
The proposed law is titled: “A bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Peace Corps to facilitate Peace, Volunteerism, Community Services, Neighbourhood watch, Nation Building”.
Akor said this was the third time the House of Reps would be passing the bill, adding that it showed there was merit in the establishment of the corps.
He further said there was justification in what was before the National Assembly, adding that the peace corps was capable of addressing the socio-economic challenges confronting Nigerian youths.
“The peace corps will add value to the security architecture in Nigeria, adding that the passage would rekindle hope of the vast majority of our members.
“We remain eternally grateful to the House of Reps for the expeditious manner they handled the bill under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas,” he said.
He recalled that the last attempt which did not get assent of former President Muhammadu Buhari was not because of any identified issues in the bill.
He said the Bill was transmitted close to the exit of the president.
NAN reports that Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader of the House during plenary said the bill when passed would encourage volunteerism.
He also added that it would get a good number of Nigerian youths engaged and reduce crime. (NAN)
