By Eze Chidozie
Commandant General, National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC), Dr. Chinedu Nneji has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign Peace Corps of Nigeria Bill into law as parting gift to Nigerian youths before the 1th of May, 2023.
The NUPEC boss in a World Press Conference on Thursday at the Corps Headquarters, Abuja urged the President to allow as many as Nigerian youths that had patiently awaited the passage of the bill to be accommodated into Nigeria Peace Corps.
He went further to state that the Bill when passed into law, will not only create more opportunities for capacity development of young Nigerians but also create an opportunity for peace and unity to be institutionalized in the behavioural culture of citizens.
He said that the Bill was harmonized by a conference committee constituted by both chambers of the National Assembly where the concerns of Mr. President that led to the withdrawal of assent in the 8th Assembly was addressed. He said that the bill will be assented to by Mr. President before the 11th of May.
The NUPEC boss said, “You will all agree with me that lawmaking is a process and National Unity and Peace Corps participated in the entire process of this lawmaking”.
He said that the bill was first introduced by Sen. Nkechi Nwogu as far back as 6th Assembly while Sen. Ben Ayade reintroduced it to the 7th Assembly and Sen. Binta Massi Garba in the 8th Assembly while Deputy Speaker Hon. Ahmed Wase again sponsored it in the 9th Assembly.
Nneji reiterated that NUPC was the oldest among the organisation that indicated to be integrated into the new organisation but explained that when the Bill is passed, it will become property of the Federal government.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to be magnanimous and absorbed all Nigerian youths in the upcoming Nigeria Peace Corps.
“After presidential assent, which we’re expecting to take place before the 11th of May 2023, the bill will become the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will eventually become an Act of Parliament.
“Having gone this far, therefore, we call on the President to sign this bill and use it as parting gifts to Nigerians. We also employ him to equally absorb all the Nigerian youths who have patience and participated in this whole process throughout the time the Bill was at National Assembly”.
While felicitating with Muslims on the Month of Ramadan, he appreciated the National Assembly leadership, members and the media for the roles they played to ensure that the bill is on the table of President, awaiting assent.
