By Goodluck B Ikiebe
The House of Representatives has passed the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps.
The bill, which was passed on Thursday, 29th February was first passed by the 9th House of Representatives on October 12, 2023, but was cancelled by the House two months later to address emerging issues in the bill.
The bill was sponsored by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and House leader, Julius Ihonvbare but failed to get Presidential assent following earlier passage by the 9th Assembly.
The bill 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.
The bill will now be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence before being sent to the President for assent.
The Peace Corps of Nigeria was established over 25 years ago by the National Commandant, Dickson Akoh, and incorporated under the Company and Allied Matters, CAMA, Act..
It was accorded the Federal Government recognition through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and granted a license to operate in the Country as a Non-Governmental Organization by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
