The Federal Government inaugurated the Nigerian Council for Social Work (NCWS) and its board on Friday to ensure strict compliance with all operational regulations guiding the practice of social work in Nigeria.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye while inaugurating the council alongside its board members in Abuja, said the body had the statutory duty of ensuring strict compliance with all regulations guiding the practice of social work in Nigeria.
Kennedy-Ohanenye stressed the role the ministry plays in the care and protection of the most vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Council for Social Work is targeted at professionals who deliver services to vulnerable groups, hence the reason why the ministry is playing the lead role in the constitution of the council,” she said.
Kennedy-Ohanenye added that the group was expected to provide general guidance and direction relating to the planning, development, and support of the social service workforce at the national level.
“They will also act as a clearing house for draft policies and programs relating to the strengthening of the social service workforce in Nigeria to ensure uniformity and standardization,” she said.
The minister added that the board members were expected to regulate all matters relating to social work education and practice in all ramifications in Nigeria.
“I wish to further reiterate the ministry’s readiness to support this council and also work with other relevant stakeholders in promoting and protecting the rights of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
The Deputy Director, Gender Affairs, FMoWA,Mr. Okwesa Obiajuli, said the non-existence of a functional legal framework for social work practice in Nigeria prompted stakeholders to initiate a bill.
Obiajuli added that the bill would enable the council to serve as a clearing house for the social work profession, promote professional standards, improve effectiveness and efficiency, and regulate the practice of social work.
He said this was important, considering the importance of the Act to the social work community, coupled with the multiplicity of emergency cases in Nigeria that required immediate intervention.
“The council will drive the implementation of the National Council for Social Work Act.
“This will provide a framework for setting up the council and will also advise the government on modalities for its takeoff in line with the provisions of the Act,” he said.
The Country Director of Programmes, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF),Chikodi Onyemerela, Nigeria, highlighted the importance of regulating social work in Nigeria for the protection of children and vulnerable persons.
