National Assembly has commenced the process of transmitting the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps to the Presidency for final assent.
The process was initiated by the House of Representatives through constituting a six-man Conference Committee to work with their Senate counterpart to harmonise and produce a clean copy of the Bill for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Members of the House Conference Committee from the house of Representatives include Alh Babangida Ibrahim (Chairman) Tijjani Kayode Ismail, Mr Chinedu Ogah, Alh Ibrahim Umar Potiskum, Alh Abdulmumini and Mr Legor Idegbo as members.
On the other hand the Senate has forwarded the names of its Committee members as Senator Kashim Shettima, Chairman, Senator Abba Moro, Senator Betty Apiafi, Senator Oriolowo Adelere, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and Senator Seriake Dickson as members
The Conference Committee is expected to look at discrepancies in the draft Bill and harmonize them before forwarding the clean copy to the Presidency.
It will be recalled that the Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) Establishment Bill was sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume and Alh Muhammad Monguno from the house of Representatives and passed in 2022 by the two Chambers.
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, facilitate peace, volunteerism,, Community Service, Neighborhood Watch and Nation building.
The value driven programs of the Corps, includes socio-economic empowerment of the Nigerian youths, peace building and advocacy, which led the United Nations in 2011 gave the organization a Special Consultative Status while the African Union in 2016 accorded it same status making it a member of the Social and Economic Councils of both the United Nations and the African Union.
The Peace Corps of Nigeria established over 24 years ago through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development has offices in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT Abuja with a membership strength of about 190,000 comprising of both regular staff and volunteers.
For the landmark achievements and accomplishments of the organization, the Corps and its National Commandants have received over 110 Awards Nationally and Internationally.
COV : TSIBIRI