The National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Prof. Dickson Akoh, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the bill for an Act establishing the organisation into law, as a parting gift to teeming Nigerian youths before leaving office.
Also, a former Oyo State Commandant of the agency, Dr. Oludare Adesina, said if Buhari signs the bill into law, the rate of youth unemployment, kidnapping, robbery and all manner of social malfeasance will drastically reduce.
They made the appeal at the University of Ibadan (UI) where Adesina, a lawyer, was conferred with Doctor of Philosophy in Law (Honoris Causa) award by the Institute of Arts, Management and Professional Studies/Ecolerite Institute of Peace Building, in partnership with Prowess University, Delaware, United States (U.S).
Akoh said that within the few days that remain for President Buhari to hand over power to Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as the next President, he could still sign the bill into law.
He said: “We are very hopeful that the President will do justice to the bill. If this is done, it will aid in curbing insecurity in the country. A vast majority of Nigerian youths will get employed and engaged, thereby reducing many ills associated with youth restiveness. There will be less need to buy arms and ammunition, and money for such will be channelled to empowering the youths. That is the main vision of the Peace Corps of Nigeria.”
On his part, the awardee, Adesina, said: “The solution to the challenges of this nation is in the youths if they are adequately empowered. In essence, my humble plea to President Buhari as he is exiting Aso Rock in a few days’ time is for him to sign this Peace Corps Bill into law.
This is a bill that has received overwhelming welcome not only in Nigeria but also all over the world. By May 29 when the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will be sworn in, I believe his incoming administration will commit at least 40 per cent of the national budget to develop youths and reduce crime rate in the country. Tinubu is a person who loves the youths so much and knows their importance. He is a grassroots politician. I believe that creativity will improve in our Nigerian youths just as they are performing wonders abroad.”
