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Health

Akoh begs IG-P to unseal Peace Corps office

Akoh begs IG-P to unseal Peace Corps office
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Appeal
Abuja, June 13, 2018 (NAN) Mr Dickson Akoh, the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IG-P), Mr Ibrahim Idris, to unseal the headquarters of the corps in Jabi, Abuja.
Akoh also called on stakeholders in security sector to urge the IG-P to obey the rule of law.

He made the call at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
Akoh said the Attorney General of the Federation, National Human Rights and other well meaning Nigerians should intervene and ensure the police follow the court order.
He said the organisation had not committed any known crime under the laws of the country.
“We are ever ready to defend ourselves before any court of law as it is our wish to clear ourselves of any allegations.
“In a civilised society where the rule of law is supreme and respected by institutions of government and individuals, it is expected that the police comply with valid court orders.
“With the continuous disregard to all court judgment in respect of our matter, our members are becoming agitated to go and take over the headquarters premises in line with court orders,” Akoh said.
He recalled that in the last 10 years, the organisation had won over 15 judgments in the court.
“It is no longer contestable that the rule of law is the bedrock of democracy.
“And if that is generally accepted, then the action of the IG-P in disobeying valid court orders with brazen impunity and selective victimisation of innocent Nigerians must be quite disturbing to all lovers of democracy,” he said.
Besides, Akoh appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to redirect the IG-P to order his men to vacate the premises of the corps in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Akoh was discharged by a Federal High Court presided by Justice John Tsoho on June 12 on the 13-count criminal charges preferred against him by the police.
The Police had in March 2017, slammed Akoh with a 90-count charge but later amended it to 13 charges, after it was observed that most of the charges were repetitive.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions had in February 2018, also ordered the police also to respect subsisting court orders by un-unsealing the PCN headquarters.
The office had been under lock since Feb. 28, 2017. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Peace Corps appeals to President Buhari to reconsider assent to bill

Peace Corps appeals to President Buhari to reconsider assent to bill
NAN-H-49
Bill
Abuja, March 2, 2018 (NAN) The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) on Friday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his decision of not assenting to the Peace Corps Bill passed by the National Assembly.
The National Commandant, PCN, Mr Dickson Akoh, made the call at the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.
“We want the President to assent to the bill, if not for any reason, but for the social and productive engagement of our teeming youths in line with his campaign promises.
“The President’s withholding his assent to our bill notwithstanding, we will continue to have esteem confidence in Mr President’s leadership,’’ he said.
Akoh said the bill was meant to give statutory backing to the organisation, with the core mandate of empowering the youths, facilitating peace, volunteerism and community service.
He noted that the Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill 2017 was not rejected by the president for its weakness but for the conceived pretexts.
“In every ideal democracy and advance society, government should seek to explore all avenues to empower and socially engage the youth in order to reduce the social consequences of their idleness.
“It is therefore, towards this aim that I wish to restate for the umpteenth time that similar organisations like the Peace Corps exist in several other countries of the world including the America, Canada, Bangladesh and so on,” Akoh said.
The commandant said the function of the Nigerian Peace Corps as captured in the bill do not in any way conflict with the function of any existing security agency.

“There was never a time in the history of our country that the need for peace has become fiercely urgent like now.
“The role of the Peace Corps is clearly distinct from the conventional security and para-military organisations hence its placement under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.
“The powers conferred on the Nigerian Peace Corps in the bill do not also involve arms bearing, investigation, detention and persecution,’’ he said.
Akoh explained that one of the principal objectives of the corps was the deployment to schools and colleges to promote peace sniff and sieve intelligence, saying this could had prevented the abduction of the Dapchi school girls in Yobe. (NAN)
OEO/MUYI/MST
Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Police to unseal Peace Corps office before Feb. 27 – Akoh

Police to unseal Peace Corps office before Feb. 27 – Akoh
NAN-H-55
Office
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Feb. 15, 2018 (NAN)The Nigeria Police has promised to unseal the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) before the next sitting of the investigative hearing by the House Committee on Public Petitions.
The National Commandant of PCN, Mr Dickson Akoh, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Sadiq Bello, gave him the assurance on a phone conversation.
Akoh later led officials of the corps to the premises of the office in Jabi, demanding for the reopening of the complex.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Justice and Equity, had on Jan. 25, petitioned the National Assembly over sealing of the PCN office by the police.
The group accused the police of disobeying subsisting court order in favour of the corps.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions had earlier directed the police to vacate the headquarters of the PCN, which has been under lock and key since Feb. 28, 2017.
Akoh lauded the police for approaching the matter in a civil way, saying this is the first time the police is speaking with them respectfully.
“Since they have for the first time spoken to us in a very humane manner, we will not disrespect superior order, we respect constituted authority and in that spirit we will leave.
“The CP has intervened and we will disengage because we are peaceful people and their approach was very civil.
“If this matter had been handled this way by the then CP, engaging and discussing with us, it would not have got to this level,” he said.
Akoh appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to accent to the PCN Bill, which was forwarded to him since January.
The bill, he said, would alleviate the suffering of some young Nigerians seeking employment, adding that PCN will focus on gathering intelligence for security especially at the community level.
Besides, Akoh appealed for the urgent Federal Government intervention to settle its annual rent of N13.5 million, which had lapsed without being used.
The convener of the civil society organisations, Mr Olayemi Success, stressed the need for every institution of government, especially the police, to obey court orders.
The next sitting of the investigative hearing by the House Committee on Public Petitions, on the petition filed by the coalition will be on Feb. 27. (NAN)
OEO/IFY/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Peace Corps empower Nasarawa youths with N5.5m

Peace Corps empower Nasarawa youths with N5.5m
NAN-HG-6
Empowerment
By Awayi Kuje
Lafia, Jan. 4, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) says it has spent N5.5 million to register and train 200 youths in Nasarawa State on online businesses to enable them earn a living.
Mr Bala Joshua, the Commandant of the corps in the state, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia.
Joshua said that the youth empowerment programme was in collaboration with Greater Hope Foundation, an NGO.
“Some of the youths have been registered with N40,000; N27,000; N17,000; and N7,500, among other amounts, for online business transaction on a platform known as, `Your time Pays’.
“The training was part of the corps social responsibility aimed at training the youths on how to make use of the social media to transact online business.
“It was also aimed at reducing youth restiveness and thuggery.
“The training was geared towards equipping them with skills that will make them become self reliant.
“I want to confirm to you that the corps in collaboration with Greater Hope Foundation, an NGO, has spent N5.5 million to register and traine 200 youths in the state so enable them do online business for self reliance,” he said.
Joshua advised the youths to shun violence and engage in meaningful ventures that would make them to be self reliant for the overall development of the country.
The commandant said that the organisation would continue to key in to good policies and programmes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians at large.
NAN reports that apart from community and health services, rehabilitation of deplorable roads across the state, the NPC had rendered financial assistance to orphans, patients and paid fines for the released of 11 inmates recently. (NAN)
AKW/BOLA/MST
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Peace Corps filled potholes along major roads

Peace Corps filled potholes along major roads

NAN-H-50
Roads
By Awayi Kuje
Lafia, Oct. 15, 2017 (NAN) Officers of Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) have embarked on community service by clearing refuse and filling potholes along major roads in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, as part of their social responsibility.

Mr Bala Joshua, the NPC Commandant in the state, made this known on Sunday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia after the officers embarked on the exercise.

He said that apart from the community and health services, the corps rendered many financial assistance to orphans, patients, paid WAEC and school fees for orphans and paid fines for the released of over 11 inmates, among other humanitarian gestures.

He called on traders and residents of the state to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse considering its harmful effects to human health.

The commandant noted that the initiative would go a long way in keeping the environment clean as well as prevent accidents caused by the potholes.

“We cleared refuse dumped by market people and filled potholes in new Tomato Market as well as my men filled potholes along Shendam road and our State Command Junction at Jos Road.

“Rendering our voluntary service is a community self service work and one of the objectives of the organisation.

“In Shendam road, if you are conversant with the road very well, before the state Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs after the Government House, we cleared those sand along the road and also covered potholes for easy movement by motorists.

“The same thing was done in tomato market as we filled the potholes with stones and sand and cleared gutters for easy flow of water as well as to keep the environment clean for the overall development of the state and the country at large.

“The community services are part of our commitment of giving the society our support which is also incorporated in our bill that has just been passed by the National Assembly so as to make the environment clean and also to save lives due to the nature of the road,” he said.

Joshua said that the command is collaborating with other security agencies to sensitise the people on the need to always shun crime and other negative tendencies in the interest of peace and national development.

He restated the commitment of the corps to continue to key in to good policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state and Nigerians.

The commandant called on the people of the state and Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and to live in peace irrespective of their affiliation, adding that no meaningful development can be achieved in any society without peace.

“Peace and unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable, we must embrace peace and be our brother keepers at all the time because no society will achieve speedy development without peace as peace is priceless and non-negotiable and it is the necessary requirement for the development of any society,” he said.(NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Peace Corps embarks on community services

Peace Corps embarks on community services
NAN-H-7
Services
By Awayi Kuje
Kokona (Nasarawa State), Oct. 2, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) has embarked on community services by digging water channels along Akwanga/Keffi federal highway in Nasarawa State to make the road more convenient for motorists.

Mr Bala Joshua, the state Commandant of the corps, made this known on Monday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the exercise.

Joshua said officers and men of the command cleared the water channel at Sabon Gida in Kokona Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that the community service was meant to prevent accidents due to the bad portion of the road and for easy flow of water.

“The community services are part of our commitment of giving the society our support which is also incorporated in our bill that has just been passed by the National Assembly so as to make the environment clean and also to save lives.

“Looking at the rate of accidents that the pot holes are causing, we felt that there is the need to clear accumulated sand as well as to dig water channel in this area for easy access by motorists,” he said.

Joshua also disclosed that he deployed his men and officers to assist in maintaining law and order during the Sept. 30 sanitation in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the measure is to complement the efforts of other security agencies in maintaining peace, law and order during the sanitation.

He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill seeking to establish the organisation in order to promote peaceful co-existence and reduce unemployment in the country.

He said that the bill would also help the corps to collaborate with other security agencies across the country in the area of conflict resolution strategy.

“We believe, hope and have faith so much in President Buhari as a father that understands the plight of Nigerian youths. He is a man that listen to cry of Nigeria youths, we appeal to him to assent to the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill considering its enormous benefits to the country,” he said.

He charged personnel of the command to maintain high standard of discipline and adhere strictly to their professional ethics in the interest of peace and national development.

The commandant also called on Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and to live in peace irrespective of their affiliation, adding that no meaningful development can be achieved in any society without peace.

He joined other Nigerians in celebrating the country’s 57th anniversary and Nasarawa State 21 years of its creation, expressing optimism in the future of the nation. (NAN)
AKW/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Sallah: Peace Corps deploys officers to Eid grounds, flash points

Sallah: Peace Corps deploys personnel to Eid grounds, flash points
NAN-H-62
Security
By Awayi Kuje
Lafia, Aug. 30, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) has deployed its personnel to mosques, Eid prayer grounds and flash pints in Nasarawa State ahead of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
Mr Bala Joshua, Commandant of the corps in the state, said this on Wednesday in Lafia while addressing 90 field officers from the 13 local government areas of the state.
The personnel are undergoing a three-day routine training programme to prepare them for the task.
Joshua said the proactive strategy was to ensure a hitch-free Sallah celebration.
He said that the corps embarked on this in the interest of national security, stability, peace and development.
“As you are all aware that this training is a routine exercise of all the field officers from the 13 local government areas of the state so that they can impact the same knowledge to officers in their respective duty posts.
“We have decided to train you for effective service delivery so as to ensure peace by assisting other security agencies in combating crime in the state and the country at large,” he said.
Joshua enjoined the officers to use the knowledge gained to fight crime in their respective local government and development areas of the state.
“We are collaborating with other security agencies to sensitise the people on the need for them to behave well, shun crime and other negative tendencies in order to have a hitch-free Sallah celebration,’’ said the commandant.
He also tasked them to maintain standards and adhere strictly to their professional ethics before, during and after the festive period.
Joshua felicitated with the Muslim Ummah and wished them a peaceful and violent-free celebration.
“I want to call on the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to see Sallah celebration as a way of transforming their faith with God and their brothers and to live according to the teaching of the Holy Qur’an which preaches peace, love and unity,” he said.
Besides, the commandant called on Nigerians, especially youths, to be law-abiding, respect constituted authorities and live in peace irrespective of their affiliation, adding that no meaningful development could be achieved in any society without peace.
Earlier, Mr Kakpo Ayen, Commander, Field Officers Training of the command, said that the officers had been trained in different areas especially drill parade and effective service delivery. (NAN)
AKW/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fahoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Nasarawa youths demand release of Peace Corps National Commandant

Nasarawa youths demand release of Peace Corps National Commandant

NAN-H-12

Youths

By Awayi Kuje

Lafia, March 23, 2017 (NAN) The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called for the release of the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Mr Dickson Akoh.

The Chairman of the council in Nasarawa State, Mr Mohammed Bako, made the appeal on Thursday at news conference in Lafia.

Bako criticised the recent attack on the headquarters of corps in by the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Security (DSS).

He also condemned the subsequent arrest of the national commandant of the corps and other principal officers of the organisation by the security operatives.

“This ugly incident by the Nigeria police and DSS is coming on peak of the passing of the Bill of the Nigerian Peace Corps by the National Assembly. The bill is only awaiting presidential assent.

“Peace Corps is a Voluntary Youths Organisation (VYO-NGO) affiliated to the National Youth Council of Nigeria with the primary aims and objectives of training the teeming youths of Nigeria in civil education and duties, volunteerism and community service for the nation’s benefit.

“Instead of the police to seek for collaboration with the Peace Corps in bridging the gap of insecurity in the country, they instead engaged on this illegal action of closing the Peace Corps office and detaining their principal officers.

“This development is unprovoked, unwarranted and therefore illegal, and hence generating undue animosity between the Peace Corps, the police, DSS and therefore condemnable.

“It is in view of the above that the Youth Council in Nasarawa state is calling on well-meaning Nigerians and indeed the youths to appeal to Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, to append his signature to the bill and finally put to rest this controversy,” he said.

According to him, the bill will go long way in enhancing peaceful co-existence, help in augmenting the efforts of security agencies as well as fight the high rate of unemployment and crime in the country, if signed into law, among other benefits.

Bako explained that the bill would avail employment opportunity to the army of unemployed youths across all states and local government areas of the federation been the change mantra of the present administration on job creation.

He called on its members in the state to be wary of a certain organisation called National Unity and Peace Corps, pointing out that it is not the same as the Peace Corps and it is not known to the council.

The state youth council chairman also called on Nigerians especially youths to live in peace; be law abiding, respect constituted authority, vigilant, responsible and productive in the support of genuine efforts towards nation building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Akoh and other principal officers at the organisation headquarter in Abuja were arrested on Feb. 28, by a combined team of security operatives.

Akoh, who is facing trial on alleged conspiracy and extortion, was also accused of using unauthorised uniforms and training facilities. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola