Reps Pass Peace Corps Bill, says "It Will Complement Security Forces"

The House of Representatives has passed into law, a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps, which seeks to empower, develop and provide alternative employment for youths in order to facilitate peace, volunteerism, community services and nation-building.

The Bill sponsored by Hon Abdullahi Umar Farouk (APC, Kebbi) was earlier on Wednesday considered by the Committee of the Whole after days of public hearing organised by the House Committee on Interior.

The 45 clauses in the report on the Bill was adopted by the Committee of the Whole preparatory to its passage on Thursday last week.

During the presentation of the report, the chairman of the House Committee on Interior, Hon Adams Jagaba, informed the House that 90 memoranda were received from major stakeholders and other members of the public.

Hon Jagaba explained that all the stakeholders supported the Bill during the public hearing stage with the exception of the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According him, all the stakeholders were unanimous in their support for the Nigeria Peace Corps, saying when established, would complement efforts of other security agencies and enhance youth empowerment