Maintaining peace in Nigeria is no small job. The Nigeria Police alone could not singlehandedly keep peace in Nigeria.
The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) came into existence to maintain social order and peace.
PCN was founded by Amb. (Dr) Dickson A. O. Akoh, who had a dream of seeing the Nigerian youths empowered with the right knowledge to achieve collective and individual goals, because of its commitment to national peace.
Amb. (Dr) Dickson A. O. Akoh has always been involved with leadership positions. He took on the zonal leadership responsibility at the International Red Cross Society in Benue State. When he was with the Boy Scout Movement, he was a troop leader.
He is fully experienced in the areas of conflict resolution, safety and security measures, citizenship and leadership training.
Duties of the Peace Corps of Nigeria
- Promote economic and social development by incorporating volunteers and members in the scheme through working with multi-agencies to keep the youths preoccupied.
- To equip and train the youth with the essential knowledge on conflict resolution, peace education, reconciliation, mediation and nation building.
- Creating profitable employment to improve the livelihood of Nigerians
- Check all forms of exam malpractices and provide adequate security to higher institutions
- Maintain public highway toilets and campaign aggressively against open defecation
- Establishing Peace Corps clubs in colleges and schools and at the same time involving the Peace Corps club members in the promotion of conflict management and transformation, internal understanding and peace education.
- Identify techniques, tools and the process of creativity, critical thinking, discovery, and innovation to facilitate problem-solving.
- Detect any vandalization plots to the valuable properties of the colleges and schools.
The Ranking System
The ranking system of the Peace Corps of Nigeria is not in any way similar to the ranking systems of the navy, army or air force. However, it has so much similarity with the Nigerian Immigration, in the sense that the Commandant General is the highest ranked officer. Below you will find the ranking structure of Nigerian Peace Corps:
- Commandant General “CG”: This is the head of the peace corps of Nigeria and it is the highest raked office. ( 1 NPC Arm, 2 star ,1 Eagle)
- Deputy Commandant General “DCG”: This office is identified as the second in command in the PCN. He serves and reports as a subordinate to the Commandant general. (1 NPC Arm, 1 Star, 1 Eagle)
- Assistant Commandant General “ACG”: The is the nest rank after the DCG in the PCM ranks. He reports directly to the Deputy Commandant general and he is the superior of all other commandants. ( 1 NPC Arm, 1 NPC Bar,1 Eagle)
- Commandant “CN”: This office reports and accounts to the assistant commandant general. (1 NPC Arm, 1 Eagle)
- Deputy Commandant “DCN”: This office is somewhat an assistant to the commandant and it is in control when the commandant is away on official duties. This office supervises the office of the assistant commandant. (1 NPC Arm, 1 Star)
- Assistant Commandant “ACN”: when the commandant and the Deputy commandant are absent, this office is most appropriate to stand in (1 NPC Arm)
- Chief Superintendent “CSN”: This office takes charge and overrules the affairs of the lower ranking offices. (1 Star, 1 Eagle)
- Superintendent “SN”: This office primary responsibility is assisting the chief superintendent (1eagle)
- Deputy Superintendent “DSN”: This office reports directly to the Superintendent (3 Star)
- Assistant Superintendent I “ASN I”: This is the first assistant to the Deputy superintendent (2 Star)
- Assistant Superintendent II “ASN II”: This is the second assistant to the Deputy superintendent (1 Star)
- Inspector I “Inspector I” ( 3 Strip Metal Bar)
- Inspector II “Inspector II” (2 Strip Metal Bar)
- Inspector III “Inspector III” (1 Strip Metal Bar)
- Corper Assistant I “ Corper I” ( 3 Strip Wool Bar)
- Corper Assistant II “Corper II” (2 Strip Wool Bar)
- Corper Assistant III “Corper III” (1 Strip Wool Bar)
- Private Corper “Private” (1 Empty Wool Bar)
Membership opportunities
It is important you are aware of the fact the membership is exclusively reserved for Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35, regardless of your gender, state of origin, political status, ethnic group, social status, and religious affiliations. The Nigerian peace corps membership is in 3 different categories:
Student membership requirements
This is on voluntary basis and is restricted to student in the schools only. To be accepted, you need to fill in a form with your own handwriting and submit it for thorough verification.
Peace Corps Volunteer requirements
This is for working class – who are employed but have the desire to become a member. There is no salary or tips but you will be paid some allowance when you hall out in events or workshops.
Another benefit is that you will be issued an ID, uniform, kits, T-shirts and fez-caps. To be enlisted into Peace Corps Volunteer Cadre you will need to obtain a form from the National Headquarters or any of the State Commands, including the FCT.
Permanent Staff Officers requirements
If you are unemployed and have got Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) certificate, you can apply. The good side of it is that you will be paid a monthly stipend and as a permanent staff, you will be provided with a reference letter when you need it.
Peace Corps of Nigeria anthem
We are one of peace men, patriotic and peacemakers;
In Nigeria our Nation and our Motherland, we are leaders strong and youthful;
We are pillars of social change and growth;
We are family we are one.
Peace Corps of Nigeria is a symbol of Nation-building;
Educating and training our youths to be leaders, for the future that we hope for;
We will serve and anchor peace and unity;
We are family, we are one.
Peace Corps of Nigeria uniform
The Uniform of the peace corps of Nigeria is fashioned from the military brown colour. The Peace Corps logo is on the blue cap, a logo with an emblem of a flaming torch and an open book surrounded with two olive leaves. In the background, you will find the colours red, yellow and green.
The peace corps of Nigeria uniform is very much different from that of the United States of America, below you will find the meaning of the elements in the emblem:
- Torch: National Oneness
- Red Flame: Severe Training with no laxity
- Wreath: Academic Excellence
- Open Book: Formal Superiority
The colours in the background have the following interpretations
- Red: Firm discipline
- Yellow: National Amalgamation
- Green: restoration
The motto of the Peace Corps of Nigeria is “discipline and patriotic services”
Salary scale and structure
The peace corps of Nigeria salary structure is different from that of the Nigerian Army. Navy, or Airforce, owing to the fact that the organization is fully funded by donations from international and local donor agencies endowments from private and government corporations, grants for specific projects.
In addition, the organization also generates income from the enlistment fees; camp fees; weekly development fee from members; bequest and fees.
Source of Funding
Source of funding for PCN
To pay monthly remuneration to 78,000 staff, PCN needs some financial support. Below are various sources of funding for PCN
- Donations from local and internationals donor agencies
- Grants for specific projects
- Subventions from Governments and Private Corporations
- Enlistments Fee
- Identity Card Fees
- Weekly Development Fee by Members
- Camp Fees
- Gifts and Bequest
PCN affiliations
- United Nations Global Impact
- Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
- Federal Ministry of education
- Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) United Nations
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYNC)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Federal Ministry of Youth development
PCN recruitment process
How to get into the Peace Corps? The recruitment process begins with acquiring a form and this actually depends on the category of interest. If perchance you are interested in the permanent staff officers category, you need to put your eyes and ears out so that you will be well aware when the recruitment form is released. On completing and submitting the form, prospective applicants are thereby contacted for orientation and proper training.
The Permanent officer category requires a minimum of SSCE (Senior Secondary School Certificate) and permanent officers are entitled to a monthly stipend. It is important you are aware of the fact that the aforementioned ranks only exist in this category.
Any individual interested in joining the Peace Corps volunteer’s category can go ahead and obtain a form from any of the state commands or the National headquarters in Abuja. The volunteer’s category applicants are also trained but the only difference is that they are not entitled to any form of a monthly stipend, only that they get to receive an identity card, kits, and honorarium. Professionals from all walks of life are welcome to apply for this category.
Achievements
Despite tumbling challenges, it has stood its ground to make remarkable achievements which include:
- Establishment of its Abuja headquarters and Command offices in 36 states of Nigeria
- The establishment of National Peace Corps Bill to provide alternative employments for the youth
- The participation of PCN principal officers in UN Conference on Green Economy at UN Regional Office in Nairabo, Kenya, in 2012;
- The sponsorship PCN principal officers in UN Ex-Summit in Rio De Jeniero, Brazil in 2012.
- The initiation of the Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador’s Award.
- Membership strength of over 113,822 Permanent Staff and over 78,247 volunteers spread across the Federation