…Senate passes peace corps Bill, 2 others
By Hillary Asemota
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday formally briefed the Senate APC caucus over his presidential ambition in 2023.
The briefing, which was part of Osinbajo’s consultations with critical stakeholders, held over Iftar dinner at his official residence at Aguda House within the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting held behind closed doors but the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan who led the APC senators to the Villa told reporters what transpired.
“We had Iftar dinner with His Excellency, the Vice President and thereafter we had brief interaction on our government and of course on the Vice President’s declaration to run for the presidency of our great country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Lawan said.
When pressed further, Lawan said: “naturally, the Vice President told us that he has expressed his interest and that he wanted to consult with the Senate APC caucus.
“He wanted us to hear from his mouth and we did and he was seeking our support in whatever way we can at the appropriate time and we wish the Vice President Goodluck in this endeavour.
“But let me assure everyone that the Senate APC caucus and indeed the National Assembly caucus of the APC will continue to work very hard for our great party, the APC, to continue to provide services to Nigerians and also work hard to ensure that by 2023, the next administration is an APC administration at the center and majority of the States in our country, by the Grace of God will be APC.”
Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday, passed the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, 2020.
The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Interior, the bill was sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South).
Senator Sulieman Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), in a presentation on behalf of the Committee Chairman of the Committee, Kashim Shettima, said the panel consolidated the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill and National Unity Corps Bill into one for “ease of advancing its work.”
He said the Nigerian Peace Corps bill seeks to empower, develop and provide gainful employment for the youths, facilitate peace, volunteerism, community services, neighbourhood watch and nation-building.
He explained that the Corps would have the responsibility of training the youths to advance the course of peace-building and conflict transformation through peace education, mediation and conflict resolution among warring groups and communities where there are crisis in Nigeria.
According to the lawmaker, “the bill when given legislative support will be of great benefit to the Nigerian youths as many of them will be gainfully employed through the establishment of the Corps.”
In a related development, the Senate on Tuesday also passed the Nigerian Hunters Council Bill.
The bill’s passage was sequel to the consideration of another report by the Committee on Interior.
Senator Sulieman Sadiq Umar, in his presentation, said the Hunters Council when established would, among others, prevent and detect crimes and illegal activities going on in the country’s forests.
He stated that the body would work with the Police and Security Agencies by making available any relevant information on criminals’ encroachment, as well as partner with relevant stakeholders on Community policing.
Meanwhile, the chamber has also passed a bill to establish the Federal College of Education Akon, Kwara.
The bill was passed after the chamber considered a report by the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETfund.
Senator Tolulope Odebiyi (Ogun West), in a presentation on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), said the institution would identify the educational needs of teachers and special persons, both physically and mentally challenged, with a view to finding lasting solution to deficits in career teachers and special instructors while achieving the National Educational Development Plan.