Recently the Nigerian peace corp bill was recently signed by the senate and currently awaiting presidential consent. But what everyone, especially aspiring peace corp members/officers should be aware of is that once a bill has passed through the lower and upper chamber of the house/NAS. No matter the obstacle it has become a law by virtue of two third majority of the house conforming to the bill.
If the president doesn’t consent but 2/3 majority of the senators vote in support, the bill stands.
Furthermore, it will be very alarming and unpatriotic to see any honest, loyal and God fearing senator stand against such bill which will see almost 400,000 youths leave the streets and become employed.
Although the salary structure of the Nigerian peace corp is not as that of the Nigerian Custom service but it equals that of the NSCDC and Fire service.
In this article you will understand certain concept and parameters relating and upholding the Nigerian Peace corp for so long.
Most importantly, the Nigerian peace corp offers several membership. Membership of the Organization is exclusively composed of Nigerians and is open to all youths, male and female, particularly students within the ages of 18-35 years irrespective of their Political and Social Status, Ethnic Group, State of Origin or Religious affiliations. Membership of the Organization is however, in three (3) categories:
- PERMANENT STAFF OFFICERS
As part of the Organization’s objective to preoccupy the youths, through its Alternative Employment Scheme (AES) for our teeming unemployed youths, a panacea for checking the high rate of youth involvement in crime and anti-social acts, the Corps engages the services of unemployed youths with a minimum academic qualification of Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE). These youths, who after distinct initial training and orientation are given the status of Staff Officers and are thus, entitled to monthly stipend paid jointly with the direct beneficiary of their services.
- PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS
PCN also has provision for employed professionals in various fields that are desirous in serving as Peace Corps Volunteers. This does not include remuneration, but they are entitled to an identity Card, Uniform, Kits, T-shirts, fez-caps and when used as resource persons during programmes and events, are paid honorarium. Enlistment into Peace Corps Volunteer Cadre is also by obtaining a Form from the National Headquarters or any of the State Commands, including the FCT. Peace Corps Volunteers are therefore, expected to serve as Peace Ambassadors in their various fields of professional calling by mediating between warring factions when the need arises in accordance with the Multi-Track Disciplinary Approach to Conflict Resolution.
- STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
In accordance with the relevant provisions of the constitution of PCN, membership of the Organization shall be opened to all students of Educational Institutions. Membership is on voluntary basis and restricted to students in schools only. Generally, confirmation of membership in any of the categories is subject to the collection and filling in applicant’s own handwriting and submission of duly completed Membership form, which however, is subject to intense verification and scrutiny by the organization.
Additionally, The cardinal objective of the Nigerian peace corp is about the future well being of the entire global community in all facets of human endeavour. It is about the future of our youth. Thus, Peace Corps of Nigeria, in its commitment to National Creativity, Peace and Youth Development, as well as the ideals of National Building, is a Major Groups and Stakeholders and is therefore convinced that Rio+20 is the right moment to take ambitious steps to address the key findings of strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development and promoting a green economy in the concept of sustainable development and poverty eradication. The just concluded Thirteen Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF.13) held at Nairobi, Kenya attended by Delegates from the Peace Corps of Nigeria and other notable Africans has given birth to the need for the Nigerian Community to be sensitized on the objectives of Rio +20, especially on the Green Economy that borders on sustainable development.
The Nigerian Peace Corp Awards
The end of the cold war was celebrated in many circles to have effectively removed ideological barriers. However, that celebration was short-lived as the last three decades have so far witnessed a dramatic increase in a number of civil strife, extremism, and other forms of violence around the World. Nigeria for example, was not left out of these civil unrests having witnessed and still witnessing ethno-Religious and intra-State conflicts of devastating proportions. More alarming is the prolonged years of military rule and civil war. The proliferation of light weapons have made the younger generation more susceptible to the culture of violence, thuggery and banditry.
As a departure from this ugly scenario, what the global community needs today in order to develop and build ideal democratic culture is the gradual inculcation of the culture of peace and the practice of non-violence amongst the people from all races and creeds. Peace and harmony are achievable by imparting the ethics and spirit of peace building, mediation, conflict resolution, conflict management and confidence building. This can, however, be achieved with the re-orientation and commissioning of men and women of repute as experts who specialise in peace advocacy and conflict resolution.
