Institute seeks FG’s collaboration on professional standard, capacity building

By Hassan Zaggi
The immediate past President of the Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners of Nigeria (C-ISOWN), Dr Iyeme Efem, has solicited for the support of the Federal Government in the area of training and retraining of members of the Institute in order to maintain minimum standard and uniform practice.
He made the call when he led a delegation from C-ISOWN on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, in Abuja, on Friday.
Dr. Efem explained that the visit was to pledge their support and readiness to work collaboratively with the ministry to achieve it mandate.
Efem appealed to the minister to support the Institute in building capacities of social workers and enhance the professionalisation of the practice.
“We see this as the panacea to building a strong social work practice in Nigeria and in Africa at large,” he said.
He expressed the institute’s readiness to support the ministry’s programmes to professionalise social work practice and increase the army of professional social workers in the country.
According to him, such collaboration would address the myriad of social ills affecting the country.
He said that the institute provides opportunities for intending social workers, to gain practical field experience through internships or participating in various activities and projects.
According to him, the projects can either be offered by the institute or in partnership with government agencies and international organisations.
Efem further noted that the Institute has been implementing the USAID/Fistula Projects in Nigeria since 2007.
“The current USAID/MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics (MSSFPO), implemented by EngenderHealth provided the institute with a new strategy of rehabilitation and reintegration.
“This strategy fits perfectly with the activities of the ministry. So, we have been very excited to work as partners with the project and the ministry to expand the capacity building of social workers.
“One of the main components is the development of the counseling protocol for implementing rehabilitation and reintegration.
“Another area is the development of a compendium of skills building centers in the implementation states.
“We believe that this will be very useful for developing the next generation of social workers who will anchor most of the rehabilitation of women with fistula and social issues,” he said.
He appealed to the minister to sponsor the relevant officers in the ministry, to participate in the special membership and induction programme for senior officers in service to be properly registered.
He informed the minister of the institute upcoming international conference scheduled for November 2 – 4, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, assured the delegation of the ministry’s collaboration with the institute to move the issues of humanitarian affairs forward in the country.