The Plateau State Government has assured the Nigerian Association of Social Workers that it will work with relevant agencies to ensure the establishment of the Nigerian Council of Social Workers for better recognition.
It equally promised to ensure the domestication of the law establishing it in order to regulate the activities of the council.
This, the government noted, was imperative in view of the role they play in championing the cause of humanity.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang stated this when the Plateau State Chairperson of the Association, Mrs Martha Kurniap and other executive members paid him a visit at the Old Government House, Rayfield, Jos, recently.
Represented by his Deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, Mutfwang said social workers play a critical role in the society, such as monitoring the orphanages to address challenges affecting the disadvantaged children and other societal issues.
While reiterating government’s support to the group, the governor used the occasion to congratulate three of their members from the state who emerged as National officers and appreciated them for identifying with “The Time is Now”administration. He urged them to support the government in its quest for good governance.
Earlier, Chairperson, Plateau State chapter, Mrs Martha Kurniap who through the National Secretary of the Nigerian Council of Social Workers, Mrs Esther Nasarawa, disclosed that the social work profession had been in existence since 1975 but without the recognition it deserved.
She said a bill to that effect was passed in December, 2022 and signed into law by the former President, Buhari and was gazetted in December, 2022.
With these, social activities have become legal according to her but what is being awaited is the establishment of the council that would regulate their activities.
She appealed the governor to use his good office to influence the establishment of the council for better recognition as well as the domestication of the law at the state level.
She disclosed some activities of the council to include attending to the needs of individuals and group issues, monitoring of orphanages among others.
Also on courtesy call was the Women Leadership Institute Network led by their Chairperson, Barrister Jummai Tardy who came to brief the government about their activities.
According to her, the institute was established in June this year to train young women in leadership positions, politics and vocational skills.
She added that building the capacity of women will help them aspire to leadership in different sectors.
According to Tardy, the institute was leaving no stone upturned to make sure young women were trained and mentored to discourage them from engaging in unwholesome acts.
Responding, Plateau State Deputy Governor, Josephine Piyo said she was delighted to see people coming up with laudable ideas that better the lot of women and groups in the society.
Piyo assured of partnership with any organisation or group whose programmes are tailored towards uplifting the living standards of women in the state.
