The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), has commended Nigeria’s Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for the mature way he has handled the affairs of the country, in relation to the recent hate speeches and threats of secession by some youth groups.
The Corps also urged Nigerian youths to be patriotic and not allow themselves to be used by “self-serving politicians” and the elites.
Addressing newsmen at the Youth House, Abuja, in commemoration of the 19th anniversary of the Corps, the National Commandant, Amb. (Dr.) Dickson Akoh, challenged Nigerian leaders at all levels, to emulate the leadership style of the Acting President in addressing delicate issues, rather than using confrontation and coercion.
“We challenge leaders at different levels of our society to emulate the approach adopted by the Acting President in resorting to consultation, dialogue and integrated negotiations as a fundamental prerequisite for peace and social order. This approach has proven to be more productive as against confrontation and coercion.
“Our youth, who are the dependable beacon and stronghold of hope for this generation, should constantly be conscious of the ‘use and dump’ attitudes of self-serving politicians, sectional warlords and elites, and look inward on their roles as agents of positive change and nation-building. Our youth should resist any attempt to be drafted into fanning the embers of disintegration”, he said.
The Corps vowed to continue to champion the course of sensitising the youths and Nigerians as a whole, on the need to support genuine government policies and programmes, and the sustenance of Nigeria’s nationhood.
Akoh also used the occasion of the Peace Corps’ 19th anniversary, to call on Nigerians to “commit the health of our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari in prayers and to pray for his speedy recovery, to enable him come back to steer the ship of the state forward”.
On the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps, which is currently awaiting assent, Akoh said, both Houses of the National Assembly have already passed the Bill, adding that, the Senate would soon adopt the conference committee report as done by the green chamber, expressing optimism that the Bill would receive speedy assent from the Presidency.
In his remarks, the President of National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Murtala Muhammad Garba, enjoined youths to join hands with the Peace Corps of Nigeria, in its course of promotion of peace, national unity and nation-building.
Garba said, “as a youth based organisation, the NYCN would join hands with the Peace Corps in all its programs”, adding that, anyone who stands against the organisation is standing against the interest of the Nigerian youth.
