Social Workers Brainstorm to Tackle Rising Challenges in Kaduna
From: Femi Mustapha
The Kaduna State Chapter of the Social Workers Association has called for re-equipping in terms of improved skills, recognition, and support to effectively address the growing social vices and crises affecting the state.
The Chairperson of the Association, Mrs.Comfort Jummai Bangoji., appealed to a workshop organized to sensitize social workers on the Social Welfare Act and orientation on the principles and ethics of social work in Kaduna yesterday.
According to her, the call to action comes as Nigeria faces increasing social challenges, underscoring the need for a robust and well-equipped social workforce.
“We are calling on NGOs doing social work to collaborate with us to help those who are vulnerable to find solutions to their problems.
“Social Work is a service to humanity, but you find out that there are many vices and crises now, especially with the constrain and youths on drugs and so on.
“Social workers should improve on their skills, they should be supported, they should be recognized so that they could perform effectively and help the government”
“We encourage social workers to participate in the profession, to take their work seriously, and that is why we have this workshop to sensitize them on the Social Welfare Act, to reorientate them on the principles and ethics of social work.”
She disclosed that the association has been dormant for many years but was re-inaugurated last year, revealing a significant backlog in social work regulation and standards.
Mrs Bangoji stressed the importance of registration with the council, citing the Social Work Council Act of 2022, which awaits inauguration by President Tinubu.
“The act was established to ensure that the work of the social worker is regulated and to establish the council that will enforce this regularity.”
She explained that the council is responsible for promoting social work, ensuring that sanity is maintained in the system, and ensuring that the standard of education and the skills required to be an effective social are maintained.
“It will make sure that there is discipline in the system and give the outside man, the person, or the victim somewhere to report to in an event where the social worker doesn’t behave up to expectations.
“To perform effectively, social workers must be properly registered. We urge all social workers to take their work seriously and participate in the profession.”
“Social workers are supposed to be working with the state and local government, and fortunately, we got the Council Act of 2022, which we are waiting for His Excellency President Tinubu to inaugurate the council.
“We urge all social workers to be registered because you cannot perform well if you are not properly registered.”
