Council of the Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners of Nigeria (C-ISOWN) has praised the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration for its efficient delivery of social welfare programmes since its inception.
In a statement signed yesterday by the institute’s president, Prof. Oluwayemisi Obasoro-John, the council endorsed the current government’s commitment to strategic and impactful delivery of social welfare ends and described it as a turning point in the history of social work in Nigeria.
Obasoro-John said the institute established under Act No. 25 of 2022, which granted the powers to control social work practice in Nigeria, serves as a vital regulatory mechanism for social work practice in the country.
He said the institute is dedicated to maintaining professional standards through rigorous examinations and strict registration criteria, ensuring that only qualified individuals are licensed to practice.
Obasoro-John said in line with the enabling Act, the institute is embarking on nationwide training, retraining and categorisation of practitioners to strengthen the practice by issuing the Social Worker’s stamp and seal to qualified and competent practitioners.
The institute is encouraging the federal government to sustain the policy allowing professional regulatory bodies to be independent and self-funded to truly regulate the public and private sectors for speedy socio-economic development.
“The Social Work Council in Nigeria, therefore, believes in the foundation that the chartered institute is already laying. It is currently promoting a more sustainable approach by strengthening its existing framework.
“Relevant and credible stakeholders are therefore encouraged to engage and enhance the effectiveness of the social work profession by upholding high standards as we serve our clients nationwide and beyond,” he said.
“It said C-ISOWN has taken proactive steps by indexing and inducting students in various tertiary institutions across Nigeria, which fosters the development of a new generation of skilled social workers.
“The Institute has been engaging at national and international levels to ensure that Social Work is elevated to the global benchmark status in Nigeria. Within the short space of establishment, issues such as professional training, enrolment of graduates from accredited institutions into the national internship programme, and advanced discussions on grade level at the entry point, among others, have been at the peak of the Institute’s agenda.
“As a regulatory agency, C-ISOWN has been unequivocal in asserting that financial and human resources should be prioritised for addressing pressing national issues rather than funding redundant and nonproductive agencies. The Institute, therefore, called on the President to focus more on engaging the services of chartered practitioners as enshrined in Act No. 25 of 2022 for effective and result-oriented social service delivery in the country. On this note, C-ISOWN expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for including its members in various critical social service decision-making structures in the country and pledged to redefine the social service spaces in the country in this crucial period of national development.
“Considering the challenges associated with stabilising the economy, and the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to face these challenges headlong, C-ISOWN stated clearly that this is no time for emotional battles over the government’s shift of focus towards endorsing self-sustaining regulatory agencies.
“In the spirit of true patriotism, all stakeholders/interest parties should begin to focus on consolidation and improvement to avoid overburdening existing systems without governmental support. By adopting such a rational and progressive approach, social work can maintain its integrity and promote excellence.
