21st March, 2023
The Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), Lagos State Chapter, has called on Nigerians to exhibit tolerance and peaceful co-existence in communities.
This is considering the spate of social disorganisation and unrest being experienced in most Nigerian communities.
The Chairperson, Lagos State Chapter, NASoW, Ms Morayo Olubunmi Lamilisa, in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Public Relations Officer of the association, Tessy Ozobialu, said the theme of this year’s celebration “Respecting diversity through joint social action,” is apt and appropriate, especially, considering what is happening in virtually all communities in the country.
She said as a result of this, her association as the umbrella professional body of all recognized social workers in Nigeria, and also an affiliate member of International Federation of Social Workers (IFSN), is joining other social workers in the world to observe and celebrate 2023 International Workers Day and called for tolerance and peaceful co-existence in communities.
According to her “despite the oneness being promoted by all tiers of governments in Nigerian communities, cases of religious killings, ethnic cleansing, cult clashes and hooliganism were witnessed in most parts, due to high level of intolerance occasioned by no respect for cultural diversities and divergent opinions/ beliefs, feeling of superiority of one’s ideas and religious
beliefs to others.”
The Chairperson recalled that the oneness that Nigeria is enjoying in the early 1970s is now elusive but that all what is being witnessed across all areas was destruction of lives and properties, serious conflicts, leading to physical assaults and serious threats to national unity and economic
stability.
“We are using this medium to implore all and sundry to resist all forms of divisive tendencies agents and campaigns in our communities, shun all forms of killings/jungle justice, maiming and hatred in order to reposition Nigeria better in the comity of nations.
“We must encourage inter-tribal marriage, peaceful co-existence and respect for others’ opinions,” she added.
She said it was only through collective efforts, otherwise known as joint social actions that will make the world a peaceful and better place for all.