On Thursday, February 29, the House of Representatives passed the Bill for an Act Establishing the Nigerian Peace Corps.
The measure was initially passed by the 10th House of Representatives on Thursday, October 12, 2023, but was withdrawn two months later to address emergent issues in the bill.
The law was proposed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and House Leader Julius Ihonvbare, but it failed to receive Presidential assent after being passed by the 9th Assembly.
The law proposes establishing the Nigerian Peace Corps as an organization tasked with developing, empowering, and employing youngsters to promote peace, volunteerism, Community Services, Neighborhood Watch, and nation-building.
The bill will now be referred to the Senate for concurrence before being forwarded to the President for signature.
The National Commandant, Dickson Akoh, formed the Peace Corps of Nigeria over 25 years ago, and it was incorporated under the Company and Allied Matters, CAMA, Act.
The Federal Government recognized it through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning awarded it a license to function as a Non-Governmental Organization within the country.