By: Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
The Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie has charged members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Imo State Command, to show capacity and proactivity in their activities in the state.
Hon Ikpamezie made the call while responding to officers of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Imo State Command, who came on a courtesy visit to his office, at the Imo State House Of Assembly.
Earlier, the Imo State Commandant of the Peace Corps, Patriot Ozuo Marvin explained that they came to establish a working relationship with the vibrant and dynamic legislator, who has within three months of his inauguration as a lawmaker, effectively and efficiently represented Mbaitoli State Constituency, through people oriented legislation.
In his words, Patriot Ozuo Marvin said, “we have heard so much about you, and want a close working relationship with you, just as we have a working relationship with the state government”.
Patriot Ozuo Marvin continued, “Peace Corps of Nigeria, as an organization, offers a platform to work with Government at all levels, Youth Organizations, Educational Institution, Civil Society Groups and Community based Associations. We are known and have a legacy of selfless service. Our activity is related to economic and social development”.
Patriot Ozuo Marvin further said that Peace Corps of Nigeria, as a member of National Youth Council of Nigeria, has been accorded government recognition through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, and its activities in Schools and Colleges are registered under the Federal Ministry of Education. According to Patriot Ozuo Marvin, “the success of our activities, so far, propelled the 8th Assembly of the Senate to Pass a Bill for a Law to establish the Peace Corps of Nigeria. Also, the 9th Assembly of the Senate reintroduced the Bill. We are optimistic that the present 10th Senate will make it possible to be signed into law. The membership of Peace Corps of Nigeria is open to everybody irrespective of Social status, sex, religion. In Imo State, it has a well structured and organized network in the 27 local government areas, with a membership strength of more than 2300 officers “. He concluded.
In his response, Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie enjoined them to continue to mobilize, orientate and offer employment to Imo Youths, which would serve as a vehicle to develop them as supporting agents of social order, through the provision of alternate public safety.
The outstanding legislator further advised his August Visitors to engage in sensitizing Imo Citizens in every community in the state on security and safety measure that is peculiar to each local government area, maintaining that the 3-R Administration is doing its best to protect life and property in the state. In his words, Hon Ikpamezie said, “His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma cannot be everywhere at the same time, but we have laws that guide and guard our communities. So the Peace Corps can draw the attention of the people and let them know that peace is what protects the society. The system needs to be reformated so that we can have a breath of fresh air”.
Still responding, Hon Ikpamezie enjoined the Peace Corps to show more capacity by re-orientating the society by engaging in workshops and seminars that builds the capacity of youths, in skill acquisition, innovation, creativity. “You cannot sit down and answer Peace Corps. You must show capacity. You must be proactive. If you see something that will cause trouble in the society, you quench it by doing the needful. That is why intelligence gathering is important. I urge you therefore to always collaborate with the DSS, Police and Civil Defence in fighting crime, and reducing it to the minimum. Use your office to inject discipline in the society”.
Concluding, Hon Ikpamezie pledged to use his office to assist the Peace Corps, by ensuring necessary cooperation is given them to succeed in the state.
In his vote of thanks, the Owerri Municipal Commandant, Patriot Eronini Uchechukwu thanked the Prolific legislator, Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie, for his fatherly advise, pledging to improve on their current operational status in the state.
