Ekiti State Government has organised a two-day retreat for stakeholders and social work practitioners in the state to equip the personnel for efficient and effective social work practice.
According to Tribune, the retreat, organised by the office of the First Lady and Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, was declared open by the governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, in Ikogosi Resort Centre, Ikogosi Ekiti, with the theme, ‘Enhancing Effective Social Work Practice in Ekiti State’.
The Governor vowed to continuslly reinforce the fight against human rights abuses and all forms of social injustices in the state to create an egalitarian society devoid of unwarranted class differences.
He explained that his dedication to the entrenchment of social justice makes prioritize provision of various legal and institutional supports for the vulnerable to entrench economic and social balancing in the system.
Prominent among the in attendees include Civil Society Organisations, social workers, public servants and other stakeholders as participants, signposting the flagship of activities marking the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Oyebanji, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, commended the social workers in the state for being supportive of the government to curb human rights infringements and gender balancing.
He stress that the programme would give the social workers the prerequisites they need to discharge their duties to the target population, noting that social work is a profession that is devoted to helping vulnerable and communities work through challenges they face.
He gave the assurance that his administration will continually provide the workers with necessary social and legal instruments that will ease their humanitarian jobs.
He said his government has always been collaborating with the private individuals and corporate organisations in the running of government, enjoining the practitioners to continually support his government to achieve the task of ridding Ekiti of injustice.
The Governor laude the First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji and the Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi for midwifing such a well-designed programme that will stimulate brilliant and workable ideas on how to take the state forward in becoming a model in social work practice in the country.
Oyebanji submitted that the quest to rout violence against women and children out of Ekiti is a collective one, saying that the rising cases of human rights abuses called for all hands to be on deck to restore orderliness and safety to the vulnerable.
Mrs Oyebanji, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Babafemi, stated that social workers must be abreast of the 21st century rescue strategies for the victims of violence, adding the programme will offer hope as professionals will cross-fertilise ideas on how to achieve the goal.
She said her pet project, Widows and Orphans Hope Project was introfuced to bring succour and steadfast commitment to defend the rights of the under-privileged, who became vulnerable on account of age, disabilities and other circumstances, describing the struggle as being imperative for everyone to support, because it borders on human rights protection and existence of humanity.
“We must foster collaboration among stakeholders in the face of contemporary diverse social challenges. Social workers must be well-informed about global best practices, planning, coordination and effective response mechanisms to cases. No voice of Ekiti man or woman, boy or girl, should be left unheard. We must all put in our best for the good of our people,” she said.
The permanent secretary in the ministry of women affairs, Mrs Omotayo Olatilu while reading the speech of the commissioner noted that the participants drawn from critical stakeholders in the society were exposed to all aspects of social work towards a better society.
The Attorney General and commissioner for justice, Dayo Apata, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Special Adviser, Officer of transformation and service delivery, Dr John Ekundayo, praised the organisers of the retreat and emphasized on the need for synergy among social workers in the state.
Also speaking, the Nigerian Civil Security and Civil Defence Corps, State Commandant, John Fayemi, stated the Command’s readiness to join the government to maintain social order in Ekiti.
