By Saminu Ibrahim
The National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Professor Dickson Akoh has urged the media to be objective and use high sense of reasoning in reporting national issues as it borders the security of the country.
He also solicited for the support of the media on the Peace corps bill before the National Assembly.
According to Akoh, sustain publicity and support of the media will make the peace corps bill to see the light of the day.
The Peace Corps Boss spoke on Tuesday when he bagged the ‘Organization of the Year Award’ of the National Assembly New Media Forum, (forum of online journalists) held in Abuja.
He assured the forum of continued support and partnership, saying “just like you have come here to celebrate us, I want to assure you that we shall also celebrate you”.
“I know it is part of your positive reportage that enhance the passage of our bill in the 8th National Assembly. I want to say that you are aware that our bill is still pending before National Assembly, the bill was committed to the committee of the whole in the House of Representatives since September 2019, we don’t know what is happening to date, any time it is schedule for hearing, it will be step down. So that mystery is left for you Journalists to unveil.
“Also in the Senate on the14th of December, 2020 the debate on the general principles of the bill was held and luckily for us, it was supported overwhelmingly and was referred to committee on interior to report back within four weeks, I think Nigeria four weeks may be different from the traditionally acclaimed four weeks, we are still waiting, but we are optimistic that the bill will see the light of the day regardless of the delay” he said.
He added that the Peace Corps of Nigeria remain eternally indebted to the forum for recognising it’s efforts during the covid 19 total lockdown.
Expressing delight over the award, Akoh said “I want to say at this point that, we receive the award with very high sense of appreciation. While accepting this award, I want to say it is an award for the organization and not for me, therefore the right people to dedicate this award to is the entire officers and men of the peace corps nationwide for the selfless sacrifices, the humanitarian services they are rendering despite lack of remuneration, they remain committed to the struggle and I believe this award will encourage them, that what they are doing is being appreciated and recognised”.
He maintained “It gladdens my heart that this award is coming from people of integrity that we have known over the years. People that are partnering with us and supported us in both our time of thick and thin”.
“I want appeal that the country is passing through a whole lot, security wise, your report will go a long way in helping the country, as efforts are being intensify to address the security concern, anything that could heighten or instill fear should not be reported. Am not saying you should not be objective in your report, but issue of security are very sensitive that can cause high of degree of disharmony or tension in the land”.
Earlier in his address, Chairman of National Assembly New Media, Comrade Yemi Itodo, applauded the many selfless and voluntary activities of the Corps towards nation-building.
“The nomination of PCN for Organization of The Year recognition is hinged on the many laudable community efforts of the organization and her activities at ensuring peace, unity, safety and security of Nigerian people.
“We cannot forget in a hurry, the role the PCN played during the general lockdown in Nigeria in 2020, by collaborating with different security agencies and essential workers across the federation, at ensuring the security and safety of the people, while striving to get the masses to conform with the Federal Government’s guidelines at curtailing the spread of COVID-19.
“Officers of the PCN, despite being a voluntary organization and without any remunerations from the Federal Government, unlike other essential workers, staked their lives to ensure the lives of other citizens were saved. This is in addition to many community development interventions of the Corps across the country, most of which are not in the media”, Itodo said.
