By Adure Blessing
The event which held on Monday, 10th, July 2023, in Abuja to mark the silver Jubilee celebration of Peace Corps of Nigeria, was graccardigan color menta Chileed by prominent Traditional rulers. The Monarchs hinted to table the Bill of Peace Corps of Nigeria to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as they plead with the President for assent to the Bill to give the Corps a statutory body.
The traditional rulers; Etsu Nupe, Tor TIV, Ochi’idoma, the Emir of Zazzau (Zaria) ably represented, amongst other monarchs were all present at the event.
The chairman of the occasion, His Royal Highness DR (ALH) YAHAYA ABUBAKAR ETSU NUPE and Chairman, Niger State Council Of Traditional Rulers in his opening remark said “if Peace Corps of Nigeria is given the opportunity to operate in it’s security capacity by the Federal Government, some of the security challenges we face would have been avoided, given to PCN Records In Community Policing.
He lauded the initiative of the founder of the Organisation, Prof. Akoh for his resilience that had helped to sustain PCN for the past 25 years in the face of stiff opposition
His Royal Majesty Prof. JAMES IORZUA AYATSE, TOR TIV, Benue State. In his goodwill message notes that those who are willing to give pcn 100% support are the traditional rulers, because they’re closer to the grassroots and are usually the first to be affected by community chaos and conflict, as such needs peace more than most Political Leaders.
In his goodwill address, His Royal Highness DR JOHN ELIAGWU OCHI’IDOMA V, Benue State expressed optimism that making Peace Corps a Government Establishment would not only create jobs for teaming jobless Youths, but will considerably reduce crime rate in the country.
The three Monarchs and keynote speakers in their separate speech, pleaded with President Tinubu to immediately give assent to the Peace Corps Bill, as this will help to Compliment Security architecture of the Nation
The keynote Speaker RTD CAPT. BISHOP C. JOHN. In his lecture at the event pointed out that social inclusion is not self executed neither is it self assured, its means removing several barriers and bottlenecks that have limited certain individual especially the young people from participating in economic and Socio Political affairs and achievement”
There is no better agency that can achieve this social inclusiveness of the Youths in our dear Country than Peace Corps of Nigeria. They are better equipped and trained to effectively execute this inclusiveness” he said
National Commandant of PCN, who was the host and chief Celebrant of the Occasion, in his anniversary speech expressed immense gratitude to God and all guest for their continuous support.
He pointed out that anniversaries are opportunities to recollect the memories of PCN enduring struggles over the years and cherish them again.
He recalled with regret how The 8th and 9th National Assemblies passed the bill for the Establishment of the Corps as a statutory body but was not assented to by the Presidency.
Akoh noted that during the stiff opposition to the existence of the body, he was detained for seven and half years while the Corps won over 30 cases in court.
He praised the resilience of Officers and Volunteers of the Corps for remaining Committed to the noble cause of the Organization inspite of the numerous challenges.
“The Corps has recorded tremendous achievements, locally and internationally, in the Pursuit of its Corporate Objectives” he said.
The Peace Corps of Nigeria Silver Jubilee and Founder’s day celebration climax with the Sustainable Development Goals Award presented to some Notable Youths Leaders who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of Youths in their various capacities and have shown massive supports to PCN over the years.
