Federal Ministry of Education, has commended the Peace Corps of Nigeria for its quality contributions to the growth and development of education sector, especially in the areas youth empowerment, peace, security and general maintenance of discipline in schools and colleges across the country.
The Principal Executive Officer, Special Duties in the ministry, Mr. Victor Opeyemi, gave the commendation weekend when he led a delegation on assessment visit to the headquarters of the Corps in Jabi, Abuja.
Addressing officers and men of the Corps during the visit, he noted that “the formation of the Peace Corps Clubs in many of our schools and colleges, has helped significantly in inculcating the culture of peace in the younger generation.”
Opeyemi assured the organization of greater partnership and support from the ministry for the continuity of its activities, especially in Unity Schools across the country.
He prayed that the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps which would give statutory backing to the organization already passed by the National Assembly and recently transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari, would receive positive attention from the Presidency, to enable the organization continue with its value -driven programmes geared towards the socio-economic development of the youths.
Responding, the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Prof. Dickson Akoh, traced the relationship between the ministry and the organization to 2002, when it was registered as a non governmental organization, NGO by the ministry, assuring that the Corps would remain committed to its cardinal objectives, which includes national creativity, peace and youth development.
It would be recalled that the National Assembly has forwarded the harmonised version of the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill after passage by both chambers -the Senate and the House of Representatives to President Buhari for assent.
In line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, President Buhari is expected to assent to the bill on or before 11th May, 2023 when 30 days window, given for such important action, must have been exploited.
The bill, if assented to, the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria that had been operating on template of volunteerism over the years , will now be a federal government- owned and funded agency in the name of Nigeria Peace Corps.