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Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017: Forum seeks Buhari’s assent, petitions NASS over conflicting bill

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A group of professional and trained Social Workers across Nigeria, Forum of Concerned Professional and Trained Social Workers in Nigeria (FCPTSWN), has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017 he earlier rejected some weeks ago without wasting more time.  
The group in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Mr. Musliudeen Adebayo noted that Nigerian Council for Social Work bill which has been passed by the two houses of the National Assembly, when assented to by the President will serve as one of his major achievements “because it will address various socioeconomic and political problems militating against the existence of Nigeria and its people”.
While calling on Nigerians to support it in ensuring that “Nigerian Council of Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017” is sign by the President without further delay, FCPTSWN lamented that it was surprised that some elements under the guise of Institute of Social Work of Nigeria (ISWON) led by one John Emaimo (Executive Director) and Eze Ifem (President) are sponsoring another bill “Chartered institute of social work practitioners”, which is not only in conflict with the existing bill but tends to cause confusion.
FCPTSWN while pledging its support to Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), the umbrella body of Social Workers in the country, NASWE, AMSWON and other relevant bodies in kicking against what it called a broad day robbery on the profession of Social Work, noted that the bill introduced by ISWON would not only regulate, control and relegate the profession of social work and its practitioners, it will make Social Workers in the country, NASOW, NASWE and AMSWON among other bodies irrelevant because, ISWON, by the provision of the proposed bill will be the only body controlling Social Work and its practitioners in Nigeria.
The group in the petition addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, copies which were sent to Office of the Vice President, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Director General, Department of State Service, Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives, International Federation of Social Workers among others, appealed to those in positions of authorities to prevail on the National Assembly especially the House of Representatives to stop further work on the bill introduced by Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga (Abakaliki/Izzi, Ebonyi State) which would be in conflict with Nigerian Council of Social Work bill.
FCPTSWN while calling on Social Workers across the country to resist any attempt to subject them to antics and plans of ISWON to silence them, urged NASoW to call a meeting that will be open to all interested members as a way of finding lasting solutions and provide ways to which the Council bill would be sign and put a stop to the conflicting bill introduced by ISWON which can only relegate them to the background, should it allowed to be passed.
The group while calling attention of relevant bodies to a planned meeting slated for this week in Abuja which has been postponed noted with concern that such meeting should not be a 20, 25 or 30 man meeting but the one that will be encompasing; open to all members because such meeting where future of Social Work and Social Workers is to be decided should not be left in the hands of some few individuals.
The group while speaking further lamented that despite threats from some individuals and groups to truncate its efforts in rescue Social Work from hands of usurpers noted that the group will not rest on its oars to ensure that such injustice on the profession and the professionals is not allowed to stand.
The group while calling relevant agencies including security agencies to give its petition the necessary consideration it deserved, urged House of Representatives to stop further reading on the bill which was targeted to sabotage the age long efforts of social workers in Nigeria in ensuring that Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017 see the light of the day.
Full letter…
                                                                        27th February, 2018.
President Muhammadu Buhari,
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Villa, Abuja.
Dear Sir,
Re: Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017: Forum appeal to Buhari, petitions NASS over conflicting bill
We are a group of professional and trained Social Workers across Nigeria, under the umbrella of Forum of Concerned Professional and Trained Social Workers in Nigeria (FCPTSWN). We are surprised with what is happening in the profession of Social Work today.
We have a bill “Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017” which had been passed by the two house of National Assembly but was rejected by President Buhari through a letter he sent to the Senate on Tuesday 6th February. Our bill intends to regulate the practice of Social Work and the practitioners in Nigeria.
We are using this medium to appeal to appeal to you Sir, President Muhammadu Buhari to sign our bill which you rejected some weeks.  We are waiting for the President to append his signature by signing the bill without further delay.
We have send correspondences to International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) UNICEF and other relevant bodies to save us from this mess. We are not in competition with NASoW which is the umbrella body of Social Workers in Nigeria. This group is not a parallel exco, it was formed as a child of necessity to provide necessary support to NASoW and relevant bodies to endure that the Council bill see the light of the day and to put a stop to conflicting ISWON bill. We are not in competition with NASoW, we are to bridge the gap that existed within and outside the system.
Final signing of our bill, Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017 will serve as one of the major achievements of President Buhari because it will address array of social problems confronting Nigeria and her people.
The bill which is in conflict with our bill is not only detrimental but will subject social workers who have earned degrees in degree awarding institutions up to PhD level to another certification.
Look at ISOWN Bill, it reads “An act to establish the Chartered institute of social work practitioners, and to make provision, among other things for membership and control the profession of social work; and other related matters. (HB 1258). (Hon, Sylvester Ogbaga).
This is directly in conflict with the Council bill. We don’t need a soothsayer to tell use that ISWON wishes to hijack, relegate and regulate NASoW, Social Work and all Social workers including you and I in Nigeria.
So, what is the fate of those who have earned degrees, diplomas, Masters or PhD in Social Work in tertiary institutions offering Social Work? Is this bill saying they are going to be subjected to another training through the money making chartered institute?
Based on this, we are of the opinon that all revelant bodies, President Buhari, Senate, House of Representatives, security agencies, NASoW, AMSWON, NASWE, UNICEF, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development should as a matter of urgency nip this abnormaliy immediately and challenge this broad day robbery on our profession.
If ISWON bill is passed, which we are praying it shall not see the light of the day, those who have earned Diplomas, Degress, Masters and PhD in Social Work and even professors of Social Work will have to be certified by ISWON going by what the ISWON bill entails.
We wish to inform you that members of this group have received threats from some individuals who asked us to stop the good work, but we remained resolute that with God, the giver of life, any weapon targeted against us shall not see the light of the day. We also appeal to you to use your good office and investigate this matter without further delay.
We are aware that a meeting which has been postponed was called, we call on leadership of NASoW to make such meeting encompassing and open to all members irrespective of their positions. The meeting should not be restricted to NASoW, AMSWON, NASWE exco, chapter Chairmen and Secretaries alone, such meeting of high importance where future of Social Work would be decided should not be left in the hands of some selected individuals. Before such a meeting is called, a notice of at least one week must be given to members to prepare bearing in mind that all social workers are not in the same location. Details of such meeting including date, time, venue and agenda to be discussed must also be clearly stated.
On this note, we wish to say it once again that we are appealing to President Buhari to assent our bill, “Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017″and urge House of Representatives of Nigeria to stop further work on the bill introduced by ISWON because it tends to usurp the functions of the Council of Social Work as being presented in Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017.
We are confident that you will use your good office and ensure that this injustice is totally eradicated in the profession of Social Work in Nigeria”.
CC:
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo,
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and other senators of Federal Rebulic of Nigeria,
Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and other members of the House,
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development,
Inspector General of Police,
Director General, Department of State Service,
UNICEF representative in Nigeria,
Secretary-General, The International Federation of Social Workers, Dr Rory G Truell.
MUSLIUDEEN ADEBAYO, a university of Jos trained Social Worker and Journalist writes this petition on behalf of FCPTSWN. 
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/oyo-2019-senator-akanbi-seeks-ibarapa-elders-support-to-succeed-ajimobi/

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16 Governors Back State Police Amid Security Concerns

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In response to the escalating security challenges plaguing Nigeria, no fewer than 16 state governors have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police forces.

This development was disclosed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 140th meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which took place virtually on Thursday.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who briefed State House Correspondents after the meeting, revealed that out of the 36 states, 20 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yet to submit their positions on the matter, though he did not specify which states were among them.

The governors advocating for state police also pushed for a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Constitution to accommodate this crucial reform. Their move underscores the urgency and gravity of the security situation across the nation.

Similarly, the NEC received an abridged report from the ad-hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control. This committee, headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, highlighted the areas of oil leakages within the industry and identified instances of infractions.

Governor Uzodinma’s committee stressed the imperative of political will to drive the necessary changes and reforms needed to combat crude oil theft effectively.

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National Issues

Weak Institutions Impede Nigeria’s Sustainable Development – Says US Don

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Renowned academician, Professor Augustine Okereke, from the Medgar Evers College/City University of New York, has emphasised the detrimental impact of a lack of strong social institutions on Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Presenting a lead paper at the First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference hosted by the University of Ibadan, Professor Okereke urged President Bola Tinubu to foster robust institutions capable of combatting corruption and addressing social ills.

“All our institutions are on the decline,” warned Professor Okereke, underscoring the urgent need for effective structures to facilitate sustainable development. He highlighted the challenges faced by African countries, emphasising the risk of continued poverty, underemployment, and injustice without these foundational structures.

The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ezebunwa Nwokocha, asserted the university’s commitment to providing intellectual, context-specific solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

He called on state and federal governments to patronise researchers in the country, emphasising the faculty’s reputation for producing intellectual leaders.

Professor Nwokocha stated, “Our faculty is reputed for offering deeply intellectual, workable, and context-specific solutions to the challenges faced by Nigeria over the ages.” He emphasised the significance of the conference’s theme in aiding Nigeria’s navigation through its complex existential reality marked by despair, rising inflation, insecurity, corruption, and unemployment.

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During the conference’s opening, Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale noted the relevance of the theme, “Social Science, Contemporary Social Issues, and the Actualization of Sustainable Development,” urging participants to generate transformative ideas for Nigeria.

Acknowledging the nation’s progress over 63 years, he expressed concern over setbacks in the economy and social indices, hoping the conference would proffer solutions.

In his keynote address, Professor Lai Erinosho stressed the rapid worldwide social change in the digital age, citing both benefits and unanticipated consequences for human survival. He cautioned against embracing same-sex relationships, citing dangerous implications for humanity.

The First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference convened a diverse array of participants to explore solutions and intellectual leadership in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

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National Issues

Nigerians’ Wallets Under Strain As Inflation Soars to 28.92%

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As the country grapples with economic challenges, the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a surge in the inflation rate to 28.92%, according to the December 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on a Monday afternoon.

The CPI, tracking the fluctuation in prices of goods and services, illustrates a notable increase from the previous month’s 28.20%, underscoring the pressing concerns surrounding the nation’s economic stability.

In a recent report, the Statistics Office revealed a notable uptick in the headline inflation rate for December 2023, marking a 0.72 percentage point increase from the previous month’s figure in November 2023.

On a year-on-year basis, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted a significant surge, with the December 2023 rate standing at 7.58 percentage points higher compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

December 2022 witnessed an inflation rate of 21.34 percent, underscoring the economic dynamics at play.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in December 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., December 2022),” NBS said.

In a further revelation, the bureau disclosed that the month-on-month headline inflation rate for December 2023 experienced a 2.29 percent surge, surpassing November 2023 by 0.20 percent. This indicates a swifter rise in the average price level compared to the preceding month.

The report highlighted a concerning acceleration in food inflation, reaching 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis for December 2023. This marked a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from December 2022’s rate of 23.75 percent. The data underscores the persistent upward trend in food prices, a trend exacerbated by various government policies, including the removal of subsidies on petrol.

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Notably, in July 2023, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency on food insecurity to address the escalating food prices. Taking decisive action, the President mandated that issues related to food and water availability and affordability fall under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council, recognising these as essential livelihood items in need of urgent attention.

In Monday’s inflation report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) detailed the key contributors to the year-on-year increase in the headline index. The leading factors include food & non-alcoholic beverages at 14.98 percent, housing water, electricity, gas & other fuel at 4.84 percent, clothing & footwear at 2.21 percent, and transport at 1.88 percent.

Additional contributors encompass furnishings & household equipment & maintenance (1.45 percent), education (1.14 percent), health (0.87 percent), miscellaneous goods & services (0.48 percent), restaurant & hotels (0.35 percent), alcoholic beverages, tobacco & kola (0.31 percent), recreation & culture (0.20 percent), and communication (0.20 percent).

The report highlighted a substantial 24.66 percent change in the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month period. This represents a significant 5.81 percent increase compared to the 18.85 percent recorded in December 2022, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures in the economy.

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Food Inflation

In a concerning trend, the food inflation rate for December 2023 surged to 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis, marking a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from the same period in 2022, when the rate stood at 23.75 percent.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributed this rise in food inflation to notable increases in the prices of various essential items. Key contributors include bread and cereals, oil and fat, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, fish, meat, fruit, milk, cheese, and eggs.

These price hikes collectively contributed to the intensified strain on consumers, highlighting the complex dynamics driving the upward trajectory of food prices.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in December 2023 was 2.72 percent, this was 0.30 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in November 2023 (2.42 percent),” it said.

Clarifying the dynamics behind the recent uptick, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) explained that the month-on-month increase in food inflation for December 2023 was spurred by a heightened rate of escalation in the average prices of oil and fat, meat, bread, and cereals, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, as well as fish and dairy products like milk, cheese, and eggs.

“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month average was 27.96 percent, which was a 7.02 percent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in December 2022 (20.94 percent),” the report added.

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