“President Buhari will Sign Peace Corps Bill”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has disclosed that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, would sign the Peace Corps bill this time around.

Speaking at the the Founder’s Day/22nd anniversary celebration held at the headquarters of the organization in Abuja, Ndume disclosed that the areas of conflict in the bill that was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari has been addressed and he is sure that the President will sign the bill now.

Senator Ndume, who is the sponsor of the bill which has passed second reading in the two Chambers, explained that the government ought to have been the one to champion the establishment of Peace Corps as done in other climes.

He pleaded with the National Commandant of the Peace Corps, Ambassador Dickson Akoh, and his officers and men not to be discouraged with the earlier position of President Buhari.

“I have met with President Buhari and complained on his refusal to assent to the earlier bill but the president cited lack of fund and duplication of duties.

“I took time to explain in details the functions and aims of the Peace Corps especially in the area of mobilization of youths for national development and in the end the president has indicated positive response to assenting to the bill.

“I am positive that the Peace Corps bill will be signed into law this time around by President Buhari so that its aims and objectives would be achieved,” he said.

Passing his comment on the development, the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Mongunu, said that the unity of Nigeria which is one of the cardinal points in the Peace Corps bill, must be encouraged and that he’s optimistic that the president will sign the bill once it is passed.

Earlier in a welcome, the National Commandant, Peace Corps, Ambassador Akoh, said that the organisation is fully on course towards attaining its core mandate which is to empower, develop and provide gainful employment for the youths as well as to facilitate peace, volunteerism, community services and nation building.

He urged and appealed to friends, associates and public spirited members of the public to support the Peace Corps with funds to enable it continue with its act of volunteerism, humanitarian services and youth empowerment.