A traditional ruler in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Alhaji Umaru Bayero, on Thursday, said that the country deserved to establish her own statutory Peace Corps outfit as obtained in the advanced nations of the world to complement the nation’s para-military services in tacking the multifaceted security challenges and youths restiveness
Speaking at a three-day retreat and leadership training for the principal officers of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) holding in Abuja, the monarch appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to hesitate to assent to the Nigeria Peace Corps Establishment Bill when transmitted to him by the National Assembly, adding that high level of education of the personnel of the Corps would make community development achievable.
Bayero, who is the District Head of the Gwarinpa Community, pointed out that once the Peace Corps of Nigeria becomes a statutory body, the ongoing youth restiveness and state of insecurity in the country would be history as the Corps would absolve several thousands of the nation’s youths
The Monarch pointed out that the involvement of Peace Corps personnel in community development would also be a great advantage to the country as soon as the organization becomes a statutory body
He urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the speedy passage of the Nigeria Peace Corps Bill and the transmission of the same to the President for assent to make it a statutory body.
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This came just as the Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, counselled the youths to use the challenges posed by the economy to prepare themselves to be socially and economically responsible.
The Minister explained that the economic downturn is a global phenomenon and not peculiar to Nigeria alone, hence, should not be used as justification for any form of criminality.
The Minister who spoke at the occasion through the Chief Youth Development Officer of the Ministry, Mr Isaac Adeyinka Adeagbo, appealed to youths to be more focused in the face of the challenging economy.
The Minister, while thanking the Peace Corps of Nigeria for organizing the retreat, assured that her Ministry would always partner with any youth development organization in the country to build an egalitarian nation.
She appealed to the generality of Nigerians to embrace and preach peace adding that no meaningful development can take place without peace and security.
In his remarks, the National Commandant of the Corps, Dr Dickson Ameh Akoh, appealed to the federal government to create opportunities for youths to grow and contribute to the general development of the country.
He pleaded with President Tinubu to be prepared to give assent to the Nigeria Peace Corps Establishment Bill when passed by the National Assembly, adding that it would serve as the greatest presidential gift to the nation’s youth.