Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has added his voice to the clarion call for concerted efforts in building a prosperous, egalitarian and sustainable society where social rights are guaranteed, and the vulnerable are protected.
To this end, the Lagos state helmsman reiterated the commitment of his administration towards supporting innovations, ideas and every effort targeted at tackling the barriers of social justice and improving the standard of living of all Lagos residents.
He made this known on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, while declaring open the International Federation of Social Workers Africa Regional Conference 2023 which held at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall of the University of Lagos. The Conference being hosted by the University’s Department of Social Work in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW), is themed: Emerging Social Problems in Africa: The Response of Social Work Practice.
Represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, the governor applauded the efforts of social workers across the country and especially Lagos state, describing them as forerunners in the advocacy for hope, social justice, sustainable interventions and development.
He described Social Work as contextually dynamic, strategic and indispensable in building a desirable society where the well-being of every resident is guaranteed irrespective of social, religious, political or social leaning.
While expressing concerns over the rising population of unemployed youths in Lagos State, and the surge in the number of beggars and destitutes, the Governor listed the series of interventions being put in place to address the associated challenges especially through entrepreneurship, vocations and skills acquisition. He charged participants at the conference to dialogue, inspire, commit themselves and partner with stakeholders towards creating an action plan to mitigate the social challenges rampaging Nigeria’s teeming youths.
Also in her goodwill message, Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Mrs Grace Igbokwe, appreciated Social Workers for their commitment and impact in uplifting the quality of life.
She buttressed the importance of peace, love, understanding and kindness in achieving social justice, just as she implored participants at the conference to commit to and engage in ways of ensuring to sustainable development.
In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS, congratulated the rank and file of the Social Workers who converged on the UNILAG campus for the Conference.
Represented by the Director, Safeguarding Centre, University of Lagos, Professor Mopelola Olusakin, the Vice-Chancellor advocated dialogue and intervention on poverty, insecurity, child abuse/neglect, substance abuse, suicide, depression and other vices plaguing youths on the continent.
Earlier in a welcome remark, the President, National Association of Social Workers, Alhaji Moshood Mustapha described the International Conference as a platform to foster unity among social workers, evaluate and reappraise objectives of the association and promote the professionalization of Social Works in Nigeria and Africa.
There were goodwill messages from the UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Ms. Rownak Khan; Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration, Mr Laurent De Broeck; Acting Secretary General, International Federation of Social Workers, Mr Pascal Rudin among others.
They all acknowledged the potentials of Africa’s youthful population, expressed concerns over the rate of unemployment, political instability and insecurity among other challenges, and stressed the need for policymakers to prioritize job creation, promote decent working environment and workplace safety, delineation of poor working conditions as well as commit to leaving no one behind.
