Social workers demand bill

The Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW) has called on  the Senate to ensure the swift passage of a bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Council for Social Work so as to regulate the practice of professional social work in Nigeria. In a statement, Abukakar Bichi, president, Association of Medical Social Workers of […]

The Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW) has called on  the Senate to ensure the swift passage of a bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Council for Social Work so as to regulate the practice of professional social work in Nigeria.

In a statement, Abukakar Bichi, president, Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria (AMSWON) and Olu Jacob, his deputy, said they expect Senate would harmonise the bill within the first quarter of 2017.

The council will serve as clearing house for social work in Nigeria and will “promote professional practice and uphold social work ethics and values, determine what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the profession,” the statement said.

“It will also promote research and ensure high standard and quality of training of social workers, regulate and control the practice of the profession in all ramifications,” the statement added.

House of Representatives passed the bill on June 7, and UNICEF and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development plan a stakeholders meeting on the same bill by January 2017.

 “We are pleading with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Federal Ministry of Health, among others as the major beneficiaries of this bill  to put more interest and efforts to ensuring the passage of the bill,” the statement concluded.