Bill To Abolish ‘State Of Origin’ Submitted To Senate – Melaye

The senator representing Kogi West District, Dino Melaye, said on Friday that he has submitted a bill for the abolition of State of Origin.
He made the disclosure in Abuja at the unveiling of the 18th anniversary logo of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN).
Nigerians should be united in everything instead of victimizing one another, Senator Melaye stressed, adding that the PCN had performed to the admiration of the National Assembly, hence the need to support it.
Melaye, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has assured him that the third reading of the PCN bill in the Senate will be slated soonest.
He said: “I have submitted a bill for the abolition of State of Origin. We are one united indivisible people in this country we do not need state of origin. My bill will be that instead of state of origin we should have state of residence. Where ever you reside is your state. For example Emaka can become governor of Kano State, Oluwole can decide to become the governor of Borno State and Abudul Malik can want to become the governor of Edo State. That is the Nigeria of our dream and that is for the youth to actualize.
“The PCN has demonstrated service in your labour for Nigeria in the last 18 years. I acknowledge that you are a very responsible organization and you have done well. I want to encourage you to press on and you will continue to enjoy the support of Nigerians like myself. And the Senate President send his support and encouragement.
“He has assured me that the third reading of the bill in the Senate will be slated soonest and I want to assure you that it has been passed in the House of Representatives and I will personally supervise the concurrent in the Senate. I appreciate the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the supervisory roll and encouragement.
“I charge the Nigerian youths to shun violence; they are yet to discover their strength. This country is yours. Youth need attitudinal change”.
In his remarks, the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, said government will continue to support the PCN and urged the organization to keep up the good work.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dalung advised PCN to continue to respect constituted authority with the view to enhance peace in the country.
Earlier, the National Commandant of PCN, Amb. Dickson Akoh, said despite being subjected to series of institutional and fundamental challenges, the corps has so far triumphed adding that its achievements over the years is the most recent passage of a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps by the House of Representatives on June 9, 2016.
Akoh said it is the hope of all that the Bill will scale through third reading at the Senate.
Our correspondent reports that 18 years after its establishment, the Peace Corps of Nigeria is yet to be legally recognised as a paramilitary agency of government.