News

Social Workers chide NASS, warn Buhari against assenting Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners Bill

Published

5 years ago

June 10, 2019

Eric

The Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), the umbrella body of all Social Workers in Nigeria, has kicked against the substitution of “Nigeria Council for Social Work [Establishment] Bill 2019”, the bill which seeks to regulate the profession of Social Work in Nigeria, for Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners Bill from the Institute of Social Work of Nigeria (ISWON), by the National Assembly.

NASoW, in a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, copies of which were made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Sunday, by the Public Relations Officer of the association, Mr. Musliudeen Adebayo, urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign any other bill aside the Nigerian Council for Social Work Bill which will give total control of Social Work profession in Nigeria to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The Senate recently reconsidered the Nigeria Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill 2019 which is expected to be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent. The bill has been in the National Assembly since 2012 before it was reconsidered and passed by the Senate on Wednesday 15th May 2019. The bill had earlier been passed by the Senate in 2017 after which it was rejected by President Buhari in February 2018 due to some grey areas. The bill was sent back to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for correction. The areas which made Buhari to reject the bill have been corrected with the support of NASoW, ministries of Justice, Labour among others and the bill was taken back to the Assembly for reconsideration.

But Mustapha, while speaking, said that the association was surprised that the National Assembly, instead of transmitting the original Nigeria Council for Social Work Bill to President Buhari for his assent, abandoned and substituted the Nigerian council’s bill by given “Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners [Establishment] Bill 2019” accelerated hearing and concurrence passage and sent it to Buhari for his assent.

According to him, “The Association viewed this with suspicion, particularly the speed at which this was done and the glaring preference of the private business bill to a Government Controlled Controlled Council Bill.

“Chartered Institute Bill is alien to Social Work profession because Social Workers do not need chartered certificates to take care of the vulnerable and the voiceless. The chartered nonsense is highly ridiculous because there is nothing like Chartered Social Workers, chartered Nurses, Chartered Doctors etc in humanitarian professions.

“The regulatory of Social Work profession in all over the world is always under the control of Government and not under the control of private Shylock organizations, just like it is done in other professions like medicine, law, pharmacy and nursing.

“It is very painful that the National Assembly cannot read between the line. The bill is not a genuine commitment to social work development in Nigeria, it is not an altruism because what would be welfare to ISWON in terms of economic gains would be ill fare to all social workers and clients.”

“In order to regulate and professionalise Social Work practice as obtainable in other developed countries, NASoW in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development sponsored a Bill which seeks to establish “The Nigeria Council for Social Work” (a regulatory arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria) which shall regulate the practice of Social Work in Nigeria. This Council shall have same powers like Dental and Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria,

“It is crystal clear in all the aforementioned professions that it is the Federal Government that regulates the practice while the practitioners come together to form association/unions that will cater for welfare of its members. Regulation of similar professions is done by The Federal Government of Nigeria which is the common practice in all countries of the world; and not by private individuals or organization.

“We are surprised that the National Assembly, can concurred a bill that did not pass through due process and left the Original bill that passed through the constitutional process and requirements. Social Work profession suffers one of the highest brain drain in Nigeria due to unfavourable condition to practice. Social Work intervention is needed in the Justice system as prison welfare, parole and probation officers, aftercare and integration service, in health, as psychosocial therapists, resource mobilisers, advocates and rehabilitation officers among other services.

“Finally, we are urging all social workers in Nigeria especially registered NASoW members to be steadfast and continue to render their services to their clients in a professional manner they have been doing. The Association is confident that President Muhammadu Buhari will not sign the Chartered Institute Bill in error.”

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

13 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.