By Raphael Ekpang
The Nigerian Senate, on Wednesday, passed for a second reading, the second Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps.
The Bill which seeks to empower, develop and provide alternative employment for the youths, to facilitate peace, community service, nation building and for other related matters, m2020(SB. 357) is sponsored by Senator Istifanus Gyang representing Plateau North in the senate.
Leading the debate on Wednesday, Senator Gyang reminded his colleagues how the Bill was introduced and passed in the 8th Senate but failed shor of President assent.
According to him, “It is being introduced before the 9th Senate following many advantages embedded therein, p;articualrly the impact it will have in addressing the unemployment malady confronting the nation.
“The current administration promised Nigerians 10m jobs. This Bill is a platform for the attainment of this noble objective. It is therefore a platform for expanding the frontiers of gainful deployment of the energy of our youths
“It will provide a multi-layer approach to handling security and in particular, assist in the attainment of the Safe-School Initiative of government as Corps operatives shall be deployed to strengthen the security in public schools,” he said.
However, Sen. Gyang insisted that the passage of the Bill on the second reading will enable the senate to consolidate the two Bills on the establishment of the Nigerian Peace Corps along with that sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.
It will be recalled that a Bill for an act to establish Peace Corps sponsored by Sen. Ndume. Scale second reading on Tuesday in the senate.
