Photo: Peace Corp
The Senate has adopted the Report of the Conference Committee to harmonise the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps.
The Harmonized Report of the Conference Committee which was laid and adopted by the Senate on Tuesday is the same version of the Bill as passed by the House of Representatives.
Presenting the report, Senator Seriake Dickson said after due consultation the Senate thereby adopted the recommendation of its counterpart in the House of Representatives.
Under clause 38 (8) the Bill provides a window of opportunity for individuals, groups, associations or bodies that shows 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.
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.
He said the Bill, when assented to by President Mohammad Buhari, would give statutory backing to the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria.
The adoption of the Report by both the Senate and the House of Representatives has brought to its conclusion all legislative process involved in the enactment of a Bill.
The Peace Corps of Nigeria established over 24 years ago under the National Commandant, Professor Dickson Ameh Akoh is incorporated in Nigeria under the Company and Allied Matters (CAMA) Act and accorded Federal Government recognition through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The organization has a structured network of offices in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Reporting by Amaka Eneh; Editing by Annabel Nwachukwu