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/
Amid rising killings and a wave of mass abductions by gunmen and suspected terrorists across the country, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency.
The President, in a statement personally signed and released in Abuja, also ordered an immediate expansion of the manpower of the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force as the Federal Government rushes to halt the worsening insecurity.
“Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces,” Tinubu said.
“By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.”
Tinubu explained that he had already approved upgrades of police training facilities nationwide and authorised the use of selected National Youth Service Corps camps as police training depots.
He added that officers withdrawn from VIP guard duties would undergo “crash training” before being redeployed to areas battling heightened insecurity.
The President also directed the Department of State Services to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests across the country. The DSS was further authorised to recruit additional personnel.
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil. This is a national emergency. We are deploying more boots on the ground, especially in vulnerable communities. The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we must all get involved in securing our nation,” he said.
Tinubu commended security agencies for jointly securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State. He assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue students of Catholic schools in Niger State and other kidnapped Nigerians still in captivity.
“To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military itself. I charge you to remain resolute, restore peace across all theatres of operation, and uphold the highest standards of discipline. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence,” he added.
The President announced that the Federal Government would support state governments operating community-based security outfits.
Tinubu also urged the National Assembly to begin reviewing laws that would allow states seeking to establish their own police forces to do so.
He warned states against maintaining boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security and advised churches and mosques in vulnerable areas to engage security agencies when organising large gatherings.
On the lingering farmer–herder clashes, Tinubu restated that the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development would provide long-term solutions. He appealed to herders to embrace ranching, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons.
“I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara states. I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba,” he said.
Warning criminal groups not to undermine the state, Tinubu emphasised that his administration possessed the resolve and capacity to secure the country.
“Fellow compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear or despair. Stand firm to defend our freedom and values. Our administration will continue to guarantee peaceful co-existence and preserve our union.”
He called on citizens to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with security agencies.
Tinubu’s declaration came amid nationwide outrage after the killing of at least five people in Kebbi and Kwara states, and the abduction of over 300 schoolchildren from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.
The Presidency on Monday said the United States Government has expressed readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria through enhanced intelligence sharing, supply of defence equipment and other support to boost ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
It said the commitment followed a series of engagements held last week in Washington, DC, between a high-level Nigerian delegation and top US officials aimed at strengthening bilateral security ties and opening new areas of collaboration.
The delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior officials from the US Congress, White House Faith Office, State Department, National Security Council and the Department of War.
Other members of the delegation included the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and two representatives from the Office of the NSA.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian team used the engagements to debunk allegations of genocide in the country, insisting that violent attacks cut across religious and ethnic divides.
Onanuga said the delegation also rejected what it described as the “wrongful framing” of Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that such portrayals risked further dividing citizens and misrepresenting realities on the ground.
“The discussions provided ample opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt,” the statement read.
He added that the US expressed willingness to offer complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical aid to strengthen early-warning mechanisms.
Onanuga said both countries agreed to immediately implement a non-binding cooperation framework and set up a Joint Working Group to coordinate agreed areas of collaboration. Nigeria, he added, reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing civilian protection measures.
“The Federal Government restates its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation,” he stated.
The development comes weeks after former US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy American forces to Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the government failed to halt what he described as the killing of Christians.
Trump, who also designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution, had on his Truth Social platform accused the government of allowing the “mass slaughter” of Christians and warned that Washington could cut aid and take military action.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” he wrote, adding that he had instructed the US Department of War to prepare for possible operations.
But President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly dismissed claims of genocide against Christians, maintaining that Nigeria remains committed to religious freedom, tolerance and the protection of all citizens regardless of faith.
Suspected bandits have abducted four rice farmers in Bokungi community, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening while the victims were working on their farms during the peak of the harvest season. It came barely 24 hours after gunmen attacked a church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA of the state, killing two worshippers and abducting several others.
According to sources, the attackers stormed the farms suddenly and surrounded the farmers as they gathered their harvested rice.
“It has been confirmed that bandits struck again at Bokungi under the Lafiagi Emirate. Four people were abducted. Information is still emerging,” the sources said.
Residents said the gunmen operated for several minutes without resistance, forcing the farmers into a nearby bush before whisking them away to an unknown location.
Community members also lamented rising insecurity in Edu LGA, noting that several farming settlements had been abandoned as farmers now fear venturing out during the harvest period when they are most vulnerable.
The Kwara State Police Command and the state government had yet to comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
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