The acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Gray Goziem Ejikeme, on Wednesday, appealed to the National Assembly to re-pass the Nigerian Council for Social Work Establishment Bill.
Ejikeme, who is a professor of Social Work and Clinical Psychology, made the appeal while delivering a paper at the 37th Annual National Conference of Nigeria Association of Social Workers, NASoW, held in Lagos.
It will be recalled that the Nigerian Council for Social Work Establishment Bill 2017, had earlier been passed by the eight National Assembly but President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2018 declined to assent the bill due to some grey areas.
Ejikeme while delivering his paper titled, “Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions of Social Work and Social Workers”, however urged the ninth National Assembly to speed up the passage of the bill for President Buhari to append his signature, stating that the bill needed to be passed into law in Nigeria to regulate and facilitate the practice of social work in the country.
He added that its passage would confirm that policy makers adequately recognised the important role of social workers in policy development and implementation and also reduce wrong perceptions of social work and social workers in terms of what social work could offer the individual, families, communities and the nation.
He said, “The Social Work Bill needs to be passed into Law in Nigeria to regulate and facilitate the practice of social work in the nation. Its passage will confirm that policy makers adequately recognise the important role of social workers in policy development and implementation and also reduce wrong perceptions of social work and social workers in terms of what social work can offer the individuals, families, communities and the nation.
“Therefore, it is recommended that social workers do not only need to strengthen their roles in Nigeria but also need to increase public awareness of their relevance and seek to be involved in the development of the social policies they are required to implement in the nation.”
The National President of NASoW, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, in his remarks, regretted that social work profession was yet to be codified into law in the country, urging the National Assembly to speedily re-pass the Nigerian Council for Social Work Bill Establishment) Bill 2020, for President Buhari’s assent.
He noted that the bill would stem the activities of quacks and charlatans in the profession.
“It is pertinent to mention that our noble profession – Social Work is yet to be codified in Nigerian Law. Permit us to also appeal to the ninth National Assembly to speedily re-pass the Nigerian Council for Social Work Bill 2020 for Mr. President’s assent. The Bill shall stem the activities of quacks and charlatans in the profession and also put Nigeria on the map of countries that are absolutely caring about the welfare of their citizens.
“We the social workers in Nigeria are resolved, in these trying times, to promote and protect policies and practices that foster social connectedness towards guaranteeing a just and peaceful society,” he said.
