I am using this medium to respectfully call on President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Peace Corps Bill recently passed by the National Assembly. It will be recalled that the Peace Corp Bills suffered a chequered history during the tenure of former president Muhammadu Buhari who ultimately declined to assent to the bill, despite being passed several times by the National Assembly.

Sir, the Peace Corp Bill is an important bill in the life of our nation and ought to be passed. At a time when our country is ravaged by insecurity arising from decades old fault lines, a peace corps aimed at orienting and educating the youths on the importance of embracing peace, cannot be overemphasised.

The argument of overriding security functions with existing security agencies, and overburdened running cost put forward by opponents of the bill every time it came up for presidential assent, can no longer hold weight in the present circumstances, and any such considerations, even if it were to be real, pans out when placed side by side with the benefits that the bill confers on the peace and unity of our nation.

All over the world, the Peace Corps contribute greatly to the peace, security and national values of any nation where there are domiciled. Nigeria should not be an exception. It is for these reasons that I urge you, Mr. President, to consider the great benefits of the Peace Corps bill and assent to it.