The Bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives.
The bill which is sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, was read for the first time on Thursday.
It will be recalled that the Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) Establishment Bill passed in 2022 by the two chambers was sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee of the Nigerian Army, Senator Ali Ndume while that of the House of Representatives was sponsored by the Chief Whip, Rt Hon Mohammed Monguno as HB17.
The Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill is expected to enjoy expeditious passage in the both Chambers of the National Assembly as the bill will not pass through the rigorous legislative processes expected of a new bill.
The Bill had enjoyed the support of the 8th and 9th National Assembly, with a harmonised version forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari on 13 April, 2023. The Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill was again re-forwarded to President Bola Tinubu upon assumption of Office for his assent.
The Nigerian Peace Corps bill seeks to give legal backing to the already existing Peace Corps of Nigeria as a government parastatal and allow its members to be absorbed into the proposed organisation at commencement.
The Bill also expressly provided under clause 38 (8) a window of opportunity for individuals, groups, associations or bodies that show or demonstrate interest to be absorbed as members of the Corps shall be absorbed subject to the mandatory basic training and orientation program of the Corps as may be prescribed from time to time when the Bill is signed into law.
The Bill, 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, facilitate peace, volunteerism, Community Service, Neighborhood Watch and Nation building.
