The national commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Dickson Akor, has commended the House of Representatives for passing the Peace Corps Bill to the Senate for concurrence.

Mr Akor gave the commendation while reacting to the passage of the bill to the upper chamber by the Reps.

The bill’s passage on Thursday was the third attempt at pushing the establishment bill to become law. The proposed law is titled ‘A bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Peace Corps to facilitate Peace, Volunteerism, Community Services, Neighbourhood watch, nation building’.

Mr Akor, in his reaction, said this is the third time the House of Reps would pass the bill, adding that it showed merit in establishing the corps. He further said there is justification in what is before the National Assembly, adding that the corps can address the socioeconomic challenges confronting Nigerian youths.

“The peace corps will add value to the security architecture in Nigeria, adding that the passage would rekindle the hope of the vast majority of our members. We remain eternally grateful to the House of Reps for the expeditious manner they handled the bill under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas,” stated Mr Akor.

He noted that the last attempt, which did not get the assent of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was not because of any identified issues in the bill. He said the bill was transmitted close to the exit of the president.

During the plenary, Julius Ihonvbere, Reps’ majority leader, said the bill would encourage volunteerism when passed.

He added that it would get many Nigerian youths engaged and reduce crime.

(NAN)