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Again, National Assembly Passes Nigerian Peace Corps Bill.

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….To be transmitted to President Buhari for assent

Byline: Niyi Daniels

For the second time, the Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) Establishment Bill was on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 passed by the two Chambers of the National Assembly.

While Chairman, Senate Committee Army, Senator Ali Ndume, sponsored the Senate version , that of the House of Representatives was sponsored by the Chief Whip, Rt Hon Mohammed Monguno as HB17.

With the overwhelming passage of the Bill on its merit, all is now set for the Clerk of the National Assembly to transmit the Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for Presidential assent.

The Bill, among others, seeks to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps as a body charged with the responsibilities to develop, empower and provide gainful employment for the youths to facilitate peace, volunteerism, Community Services, Neighborhood Watch and Nation building.

According to part Vlll of the Bill passed, the Bill when assented to by President Buhari, would give statutory backing to the already existing Peace Corps of Nigeria.

The Peace Corps of Nigeria established over 24 years ago under the National Commandant, Professor Dickson Ameh Akoh is incorporated in Nigeria under the Company and Allied Matters (CAMA) Act and accorded the Federal Government recognition through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

Due to the value driven programs of the Corps, aimed at the socio-economic empowerment of the Nigerian youths and its onerous contributions to peace building and advocacy, the United Nations in 2011 accorded the organization a Special Consultative Status while the African Union in 2016 accorded same status to the organization, thus, making it a member of the Social and Economic Councils of both the United Nations and the African Union.

So far, the organization has a well structured network of offices in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory FCT.

It has a membership strength of over 187,000 comprising of both regular staff and volunteers.

For the landmark achievements and accomplishments of the organization thus far, the Corps and its National Commandant have received over 110 Awards Nationally and Internationally.

Briefing Journalists on the latest development, National Commandant, Professor Dickson Ameh Akoh thanked the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila for considering the Bill worthy of passage thereby doing justice to it.

Professor Akoh also thanked members of the two Chambers of the National Assembly for the sense of patrotism displayed in ensuring that the Bill saw the light of the day.

He pleaded with President Mohammadu Buhari to assent to the Bill this time around as a lasting legacy of his government and befitting parting gift to the Nigerian youth.

The National Commandant explained that all the grey areas which prevented the assent in 2016 have been cleaned up adding that the Corps would not have any conflict with any of the existing security agencies.

“The best gift to the Nigerian youth from President Buhari is to give assent to the Bill and as a youth friendly President, we are deeply optimistic that Mr President will do the needful this time around.

” No amount of resources committed to youth development in this country, especially in the face of insecurity, poverty and lack of employment is a waste. Peace Corps is not just being conceived, it has offices all over the country”, Akoh said.

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Press Release : Okpebholo Denies Sacking Civil Servants As Alleged By PDP

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The statement issued by the factional chapter of the PDP in Edo is a joke taken too far. The PDP is yet to recover from the crushing defeat it suffered during the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, since his inauguration on Tuesday, has since hit the ground running and trying to fix the mess created by the immediate-past MoU governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

For the records, the statement released on Wednesday by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, did not sack any civil servants. Besides, no Governor sacks civil servants through a media pronouncement.

Those asked to go were appointees of the last administration in the State. The factional PDP in Edo State is ignorant, and its members need to be gainfully engaged.

Anyone in the State’s civil service that is an appointee has nothing to fear. But if you are a product of the last MoU government and appointed by Obaseki, the rule of law must stand.

Signed:
Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor

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Edo Gov Directs Police Commissioner To End Cult Clashes Within 48hrs

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…….Bans Drivers Welfare Association, Network Empowerment

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, directed the state Commissioner of Police to halt the violent cult clashes in the State within 48 hours.

The Governor also banned Drivers Welfare Association and Network Empowerment in the State, in a statement signed by Fred Itua,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

He directed the Commissioner of Police to instruct his officers and men across the various formations to immediately swing into action and halt the unnecessary bloodbath.

On Wednesday, the Governor had ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of collection of all revenues in Edo, especially in motor parks and others, until further notice

The Governor had noted that he would review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward.

“As the Governor of Edo State, cultism can not be allowed here. We must end it and very fast too. I have ordered the Commissioner of Police to halt the madness within 48 years. All those involved in the killings should be stopped.

“Some associations that are causing trouble in the State, especially in Benin City, cannot be allowed to operate here. They all remain banned, and the Commissioner of Police must ensure that his men carry out this instruction by giving teeth to this ban

“Edo must be safe. That was one of my key priorities during the campaigns, and I plan to ensure that we restore it at all costs. We will not fold our arms and allow them to create unnecessary tension,” the statement read.

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Gov Okpebholo Orders Immediate Freezing Of State Bank Accounts

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……..Abolishes Roads and Bridges Ministry, Reverts to Ministry of Works

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, on Thursday, ordered the freezing of all State-owned bank accounts with immediate effect, until further notice.

The Governor has also warned commercial banks, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately without any delays.

In a statement signed by
Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Okpebholo warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants who flout the order will be severely punished.

“All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the confers of Government until there is a further notice.

“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays.

“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” the statement read.

In the meantime, the Governor has asked the relevant Government agencies to reverse the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works. The reversed infamous name was conceptualised during the administration of Godwin Obaseki.

Governor Okpebholo, said since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Obaseki, it is therefore absurd to maintain such a name.

The Governor, has therefore ordered relevant government agencies to implement the new order and immediately reflect the new name.

“It is funny how you can call a Government institution Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.

“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the State,” the statement concluded.

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