To ensure effective social service delivery in the country, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has called for the speedy passage of the Bill on Professionalism of Social Workers in Nigeria before the National Assembly.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Federal School of Social Works in Emene, Enugu State recently, the minister said the timely passage of the Bill by the legislature would also fast track the attainment of targets of the Transformation Policy of the Present Administration on Social Development Sub- Sector.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Habiba Lawal, the Minster emphasised that government was committed to the strengthening and updating the skills and competence of professional social workers in the country, to enable them render contemporary and quality Social Welfare Services to children, women in distress, Persons with Disabilities, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians.

Delighted that the academic programme of the school has now conformed to the requirements of the National Board for Technical Education, she disclosed that the federal government was fast-tracking efforts at upgrading both the academic and infrastructural facilities of the institution to ensure the full accreditation of its programmes.

“Accordingly, we have equipped the ICT Resource Centre, the Home Economics Laboratories, provided the Rural Engineering materials and constructed and equipped sports facilities to encourage recreational activities among the school community.

“To ensure the welfare of students, I have directed the overhaul of the hostel accommodation that will soon be furnished to provide more comfortable and congenial living environment befitting an institution of this status,” she stated.

She urged the graduands to always adhere to their motto of “Service to Humanity”, and utilize the skills and knowledge they have acquired to reflect and impact positively on the quality of social work services they render to their clientele.

In a goodwill message presented by the Permanent Secretary of the Enugu State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Angela Gbanite, the Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Sullivan Chime, observed that the importance of Social Work as a professional and academic discipline to any society cannot be over-emphasized.  is because, according to him, “it is a discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of individuals, families, groups, and communities through research, policy, community organizing, crisis intervention and teaching, especially for the benefit of those affected by social disadvantages such as poverty, mental and physical disabilities, and social injustice.

While enjoining the authorities of the school not to relent in their quest for excellence and advancement in the training of middle level cadre Social Development Officers at the Diploma level for the country, Sullivan Chime pledged the continued support and goodwill of the Enugu State government towards the progress and the attainment of the school’s objectives.

Presenting 228 graduands for the award of certificates from the 2011, 2012 and 2013 academic sessions, the Provost of the school, Chris Orji disclosed that those trained include Social Welfare and Youth Development Officers, Hospital Social Workers, Industrial Social Workers, Police Welfare Officers, and Prisons Social Workers that were drawn from federal, state and local government establishments.