The PUNCH gathered that the bill was on Wednesday transmitted for Presidential assent by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal through a letter.
The Senate had last Tuesday adopted the Report of the Conference Committee which was set up by the two Chambers to harmonise the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps.
The Conference Committee set up earlier in the year by both the Senate and House of Representatives, completed its assignment on Wednesday last week leading to the Report laid and adopted by the House of Representatives on Thursday, 30th March 2023.
The copy of the letter written on the letterhead of the CNA and sighted by our correspondent was dated 12th April 2023 and directly addressed to the President.
The letter read in part, “In consonance with the provisions of the Acts Authentication Acts Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I wish, with due respect to forward to your excellency, the authenticated copies of the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Act, 2023 for your consideration and assent.”
The PUNCH also learnt that three copies of the authenticated copies of the bills were forwarded to the President for his assent, one of which is expected to be retained by him and the other two, sent back to the National Assembly for further action.
The letter added, “After Your Excellency’s assent, one copy of the signed Bill should be retained in your office while the other two are to be returned for further action, please.”
In line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, President Buhari is expected to assent to the bill on or before 11th May 2023 when 30 days window, given for such important action, must have been exploited.
The Bill, if assented to, the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria which had been operating on the template of volunteerism over the years, will now be a Federal Government-owned and funded agency in the name of Nigeria Peace Corps
