Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has built capacity of the recently inaugurated Family Court Assessors and other relevant stakeholders, to bring about effective court judgement on the family system in the State.

The State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Modupe Dipeolu while speaking at the training with the theme: "Peaceful Society, A Collective Responsibility", at the Judicial Complex, Kobape, Abeokuta, said it is imperative for the assessors to adequately familiarise and equip themselves with the professional knowledge required to carry out the responsibility of assisting the court in reaching its decisions.

Dipeolu urged the assessors to attach importance to the training, and ensure they did not deviate from rules and regulations guiding the conduct of the profession, saying the assignment at hand was to the interest and welfare of families.

In her keynote address, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape lauded the Governor for showing understanding on the relevance of court judgement on the family system, which necessitated the approval for the inauguration of family assessors.

She stressed that stakeholders have the responsibility to do more in their efforts to strengthen family ties, for the good of the citizens, peace and stability in the country and the world at large.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs, Melutia Ogunremi noted that the aim of the training was to broaden the knowledge of assessors in the discharge of their duties, adding that the theme for the training was carefully selected, to give professional knowledge required to carry out the needed responsibility.

Ogunremi added that facilitators have been invited to share from their wealth of experience, thereby exposing the assessors to new perspective of carrying out their duties efficiently.

In a paper presentation titled, "Principles of Social Working in Relation to Family Court Assessors and the Society at Large", a seasoned social worker, Mr. Michael Olatunde, highlighted seven principles of social work to include; principle of individualisation, purposeful expression of feelings, controlled emotional involvement, self-determination, non-judgmental attitude, acceptance and confidentiality.

"As family court assessors, your primary goal is to help people (clients), in need and address their social problems, volunteer some portion of your professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return, seek to resolve conflicts between clients and the broader society's interest in a socially responsible manner", Olatunde admonished.