THE Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW), has urged the tiers of government – Federal, States and Local Governments to involve trained and practising Social Workers in delivery of Social Services issues in the country.
The association, an umbrella body of all Social Workers in the country avowed that this will help to ensure that sufficient qualified Social Work personnel are recruited for effective social service delivery across the country.
Its National President, Comrade Kolawole Olawale made the plea on Tuesday during the event marking the 2017 Social Work Day at the conference room of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Abuja.
It was also learnt that every 21 March is dedicated to celebrate Social Work day globally.
Olawale stressed that Social Work is gradually gaining recognition and desired attention, saying that the professionals in the field must be empowered through legislation in discharge of their duties.
He added: “I therefore call on the three tiers of government to always involve Social Workers in social services issues and ensure that sufficient qualified Social Work personnel are recruited for effective social service delivery.
“It is in view of this that I am calling on all our highly revered distinguished Senators at the upper chamber of the national assembly to kindly expedite action on the passage of the ‘Bill on professionalization of Social Work’ presently at the senate.
“I am exceedingly glad to address you today as we celebrate year 2017 World Social Work day. My joy is borne out of the fact that Social Work profession which was relatively unknown in Nigeria before now is gradually gaining recognition and desired attention in the country.
“The theme for this year celebration is ‘Promoting Community and Environment Sustainability’. I consider the theme apt because the major concern of social work is all about welfare.
“The environment is so important because everything that supports the survival of human beings is dependent on it. It is simply the house of mankind, making it the important aspect in life. Wellness of the environment directly relates to the wellness and health in human beings and other species. Hence there is the need to sustain it by protecting it. Any harmful alteration to the environment brings adverse impact across all species”.
The President further reiterated : “Let me repeat for umpteenth time that the importance of Social Work services cannot be over emphasized. There is no doubt that the country is bedevilled with various social vices ranging from terrorism to corruption, bribery, cultism, rioting, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, prostitution, kidnapping, political brigandry, child abuse, nepotism, tribalism, marital conflict, thuggery and hooliganism to mention but few.
“At the forefront of preventing and combating as the case may be these menace are the Social Workers who are specially trained for these functions. There is therefore no doubt that Social Workers must be empowered through legislation to be able to discharge their functions effectively”.
Felicitating with President Muhammadu Buhari on his return from his medical trip in London, he, as well commended the President on his anti-corruption campaign as he pledged the support of the association for the present administration’s desire to effect the needed changes in our national life, while calling on his colleagues to adhere strictly to the ethics of the profession in discharge of their professional duties.
“The entire Social Work force in Nigeria wish to seize this opportunity to felicitate with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), on his successful health trip to the United Kingdom and safe return back to the country. May Allah continue to grant him good health.
“I wish to state unequivocally that we commend your giant stride at eliminating corruption in Nigeria and are willing to support your administration in the areas of social services delivery.
“Let me also seize this opportunity to remind all my colleagues in the country and diaspora that strict adherence to our code of conduct and ethics in the discharge of our duties must not be mortgaged for any reason”.
