Peace Corp of Nigeria has been commended by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, for being a foremost youth organization in the country, devoted to inculcating noble virtues of peace, discipline, patriotism and selfless service in youths. He also noted that such public spirited activities have endeared the association to Nigerians and non-Nigerians.
Dalung gave the commendation in Abuja after being conferred with the prestigious honorary COMMANDER OF PEACE when the national peace delegates paid him a courtesy call in his office. The Minister urged Nigerians to learn to embrace peace and dispense justice to all men and women in their private and public lives, saying peace can only be enthroned and sustained in Nigeria if we all treat justice and peace as Siamese twins. “Where there is no justice, peace can never be found. If we embrace justice, then we can talk about peace,” he said.
Dalung, who said that he was highly honored to receive the group observed that after studying the way the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) works in major cities and rural areas in the country, he was tempted to regard it as the new security outfit of the country, averring that in reality, it’s a voluntary organisation. He commended its members for their selfless service to the nation, especially in areas of peace keeping, community service, maintenance of sanctity on the roads and provision of jobs for youths.
The Minister assured the PCN that he will do everything within his power to facilitate quick passage of the Bill that is presently before the National Assembly for an Act to establish the NPC, explaining that its passage will not only empower the youth but, provide them with alternative job opportunities. “As a Ministry and as an individual, I will do everything within my reach to support the PCN because the organisation is doing a good job in training the youth and preparing them to be responsible leaders of tomorrow,” he avowed.
The Minister advised the group to shun religious bigotry and disharmony, but strive to be men and women of integrity.
Speaking earlier, the National Commander of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson Akoh congratulated Solomon Dalung for his appointment as the Minister of Youth and Sports, saying his association is looking forward for partnering with the Ministry. He strongly appealed for reinstatement of the annual subventions which the Federal Government through the Ministry used to grant recognised youth organinsations and was stopped a few years back. He added that to discourage the youth from involving in ethnic wars and helping egocentric politicians to carry out uncanny acts, the Government should deem it necessary to pre-occupy them and accord necessary support to their yearnings and aspirations.
Dickson Akoh also informed the Minister that in addition to community service works, the organisation now posts it’s members to work in Federal Government Colleges across the country as well as collaborates with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in disaster management and relief services, noting that the association is formally recognised by UNESCO.
The Permanent Secretary n the Ministry, Chiinyeaka Ohaa led other management staff to grace the investiture of the Minister as Commander of Peace by the PCN. [FMYS]
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