Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, on Monday in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, commenced a two-day training of 24 social caseworkers to enhance case work management and social work practice.
In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Bashir Alkali, said that the training had become necessary, as capacity building remained key to improving performances and efficiency in every organisation.
According to Alkali, case work is focused on enhancing human wellbeing to meet the basic human needs of persons, with particular attention to empowering people who were vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty.
He explained that the ministry had handled series of case work, such as marital disputes, financial and medical assistance as well as provision of economic empowerment.
“Globally, social service is very dynamic, fast-growing and puts pressure on the need for continuous training, that is, building and strengthening the capacity of social/case workers.
“To this end, the ministry is organising this training to enable its officers be abreast of current best practices in case work, as obtainable globally.
“The main objectives of the training are: enhancement of skills of case workers on the basic steps of case work management and understand and application of social work principles and ethical conduct on counseling strategies in Nigeria.
“Another objective is to share experiences and equip the officers with improve skills and social work practice,” Alkali, who was represented by the ministry’s acting Director of Social Development, Mr Mansur Kuliya, said.
In his address of welcome, Kuliya, represented by Deputy Director of Social Development, Mr Emmanuel Udoh, noted that the case work branch of social development dealt with human survival.
“Case work service is an extremely important profession that needs skilled and qualified workers due to its dynamic and fast-growing nature.
“I look forward to a robust engagement on the part of the participants who are expected to come out of this programme with improved skills for effective service delivery,” Udoh said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)