National Issues
Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017: Forum seeks Buhari’s assent, petitions NASS over conflicting bill
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 NigeriaAso Villa, Abuja.Dear Sir,Re: Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2017: Forum appeal to Buhari, petitions NASS over conflicting billWe 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/
The Nigerian government spent a staggering $3.58 billion on servicing foreign debt within the first nine months of 2024, marking a significant 39.77% increase compared to the $2.56 billion expended over the same period in 2023.
This data, drawn from a recent report on international payment statistics by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), reflects a concerning rise in the country’s foreign debt obligations amid depreciating currency values.
According to the report, the most substantial monthly debt servicing payment occurred in May 2024, totaling $854.37 million. This is a substantial 286.52% increase from May 2023’s $221.05 million.
Meanwhile, the highest monthly payment for 2023 was $641.7 million in July, underscoring the trend of Nigeria’s escalating debt costs.
Detailed analysis of monthly payments further illuminates the trend.
In January 2024, debt servicing costs surged by 398.89%, reaching $560.52 million, a significant rise from $112.35 million in January 2023. However, February saw a modest reduction of 1.84%, with costs decreasing from $288.54 million in 2023 to $283.22 million in 2024. March also recorded a decline of 31.04%, down to $276.17 million from $400.47 million the previous year.
Additional fluctuations in debt payments continued throughout the year, with June witnessing a slight decrease of 6.51% to $50.82 million from $54.36 million in 2023. July 2024 payments dropped by 15.48%, while August showed a 9.69% decline compared to 2023. September, however, reversed the trend with a 17.49% increase, highlighting persistent pressure on foreign debt obligations.
With the rise in exchange rates exacerbating these financial strains, Nigeria’s foreign debt servicing costs are projected to remain elevated.
The central bank’s data highlights how these obligations are stretching national resources as the naira’s devaluation continues to impact debt repayment in dollar terms.
Rising State Debt Levels Add Pressure
The federal government’s debt challenges are mirrored by state governments, whose collective debt rose to N11.47 trillion by June 30, 2024.
Despite allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and internally generated revenue (IGR), states remain heavily reliant on federal transfers to meet budgetary demands.
According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), the debt burden for Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rose by 14.57% from N10.01 trillion in December 2023.
In naira terms, debt rose by 73.46%, from N4.15 trillion to N7.2 trillion, primarily due to the naira’s depreciation from N899.39 to N1,470.19 per dollar within six months. External debt for states and the FCT also increased from $4.61 billion to $4.89 billion during this period.
Further data from BudgIT’s 2024 State of States report illustrates how reliant states are on federal support. The report revealed that 32 states depended on FAAC allocations for at least 55% of their revenue in 2023.
In fact, 14 states relied on FAAC for 70% or more of their revenue. This heavy dependence on federal transfers underscores the vulnerability of states to fluctuations in federal revenue, particularly those tied to oil prices.
The economic challenges facing both the federal and state governments are stark. The combination of mounting foreign debt, fluctuating exchange rates, and high reliance on federally distributed revenue suggests a need for fiscal reforms to bolster revenue generation and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
With foreign debt obligations continuing to grow, the report emphasizes the urgency for Nigeria to address its debt sustainability to foster long-term economic stability.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has called for a prompt investigation into the increasing occurrences of building collapses in major cities across Nigeria.
In a motion presented to the House on Wednesday, Oseni expressed deep concern over the alarming frequency of building collapses, emphasising the threat they pose to the lives and property of Nigerians.
The APC lawmaker, through a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, cited the recent collapse of a two-storey school building at Saint Academy in Busa Buji, Jos, Plateau State, on July 12, 2024. The tragic incident, which trapped 154 people and claimed 22 lives, is the latest in a series of similar disasters, raising serious concerns nationwide.
Oseni also referenced a report from The Punch newspaper, which revealed that Nigeria had recorded 135 building collapse incidents between 2022 and July 2024.
“This figure is alarming and unacceptable,” he stated, stressing the urgency of preventing further occurrences.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oseni reminded the House that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other relevant professional bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with building standards and practices.
“Despite these regulatory frameworks, the recurring collapses suggest that enforcement is lacking. The loss of lives, properties, and resources is staggering, and this disturbing trend must be addressed immediately,” he remarked.
He proposed the formation of an Adhoc Committee to investigate the underlying causes of these collapses and recommend both immediate and long-term solutions.
Also, he urged the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure swift implementation of any recommendations.
The House agreed to deliberate on the motion and is expected to present its findings and proposed actions within eight weeks.
The Vice-chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, has expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of religious leaders in material pursuits, accusing them of abandoning their spiritual duties in favour of wealth and influence.
Oba Alao, who is also the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, made this statement during a visit from the leadership of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement “Ayo Ni O,” led by Baba Aladura Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Alogbo, at his palace in Surulere Local Government on Thursday.
The monarch accused some religious leaders of sharing part of the blame for the moral and political crises that have engulfed the nation. According to him, spiritual leaders, once seen as the moral compass of society, have become compromised by corruption, aligning themselves with the very forces they should condemn.
Oba Alao was unapologetic in his criticism, stating, “Ninety-five percent of Nigerian leaders, both political and religious, are spiritually compromised.”
He argued that this moral decay among clerics has made it impossible for them to hold political leaders accountable or speak the truth to those in power, as their integrity has been eroded by their pursuit of material wealth.
“Carnality has taken over spirituality. Our religious leaders can no longer speak the truth to those in authority because their minds have been corrupted. Most of the so-called General Overseers (G.O.) are corrupt and perverted,” Oba Alao added.
He stressed that this shift towards wealth accumulation at the expense of spiritual values has greatly contributed to the country’s stagnation in development and social justice.
Olugbon urged both religious leaders and traditional rulers to reflect on their actions, reminding them that they would be held accountable for their stewardship, both in this world and the next.
“The prayers of sinners are an abomination before God, hence the need for our leaders to rethink,” he warned.
The monarch concluded by reiterating the transient nature of power and the importance of staying true to sacred duties, regardless of the temptation to indulge in worldly gains. “I am a traditional ruler. I don’t belong, and will never belong, to any occultic groups,” he emphasised, drawing a clear line between his position and the corrupt practices of some leaders.
In response to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement’s request for collaboration on community development projects, Oba Alao assured them of his support.
“Your requests are aimed at the development of the Orile Igbon community. I am assuring you that necessary assistance will be provided in this regard.”
Earlier, Prophet Alogbo requested the monarch’s collaboration on a range of community development projects. These initiatives include the establishment of a women and youth empowerment center, clean drinking water initiatives, a bakery, animal production facilities, and farm produce processing.
Other proposals included a diagnostic and medical center, a full-size recreational sports facility, and a home care facility for the elderly.
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