The Emir of Katsina State, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has encouraged the Federal Government to sign the Peace Corps Bill, passed by the National Assembly, into law.
The Emir, who is also the Chairman of Katsina State Council of Emirates, described the Peace Corps of Nigeria as an agent of peace, unity and national integration, adding that it came at the time the Nation was sliding into deep crises.
“Religious and tribal sentiments are the greatest enemies of this country. Until we learn how to tolerate each other no matter the tribe or religion we would not get it right in this country”.
Receiving the National Officers of Peace Corps of Nigeria and Commandants, from the seven States of the North-West region on Thursday, the Emir pledged total support of the Emirates-In-Council, advising the President to urgently sign the bill into law in order to empower teeming youths and curtail social vices in the society.
The National Commandant of the Corps, Dickson Akoh, appreciated His Royal Highness for championing the course of peace and mutual integration among indigenes and the dwellers.
Mr Akoh pledged total support of the Peace Corps Officers to the programmes of the Emirate.
His Royal Highness, who is also the Chancellor, of the University of Illorin said other States should learn from Katsina State, where indigenes live happily with non-indigenes.
“We should be one. We live side by side, we sit down side by side to eat and drink together here. Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Birom, we should remain united. Igbos and Yorubas are my brothers and sisters; I will use my last blood to fight for one Nigeria”.
The Bill which seeks to turn the Peace Corps a Non-Governmental Organisation into a Government Paramilitary Agency had been passed by the National Assembly and it awaits the approval of the President.
