The Vice Chancellor of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Prof. Michael Awoke has said that Nigeria needs to recognise the patriotic contributions of social workers to be great.
The vice chancellor made the declaration on Tuesday at the institution during the commemoration of the International Social Work Day, organised by the social work department of the university.
Awoke represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Ike Elechi–Ogba, said social workers effect the desired change in the country bedevilled with several divisive tendencies.
“You are change makers who speak for the voiceless, defend the defenceless and protect the powerless.
“Your role in the society is the real evangelism and I say emphatically that you are the ones that would open the door of heavens for others to enter.
“You do not need to be born-again christains again because you are already doing the work required of children of God.”
He noted that social workers have impacted positively on the institution which makes it ready to assist the department, to succeed.
“Your awareness has checked incidences of sexual harassment among others acts of molestation in the university.
“We would provide all you need for accreditation and hold a meeting with the management of the department to see ways of meeting your needs.
“You should not relent in your avid commitment to make the society better as the world acknowledges your roles as agents of change.”
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the institution, Prof. Nkechi Emma–Echiegu thanked the university for making the dream of inaugurating the department, come true.
“We started with a dilapidated building given to us by the university but it presently ranks among the best departmental offices in the institution.
“We have grown in leaps and bounds and judciously utilsed all assistance received, to become what we are presently.
“The department has inaugurated a disability group where our students identify and assist their physically challenged colleagues as part of their field work.”
Prof. Friday Onwe, Head of the Social Work Department, urged the institution to continue supporting it to meet all goals of impacting positively on the society.
Goodwill messages were delivered on the occasion by the federal ministry of women affairs and social development.among other bodies which collaborated with the department to organise the event.
The theme of the event was : “Co–Building and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite A Divided Society.”
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