The Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF) is seeking 6-Month paid maternity leave for nursing mothers as a policy change to support new mothers in the workforce.
They urge governors and state legislators to implement the six-month paid maternity leave policy across all 36 states in Nigeria, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
This call to action was made at the NGWF’s annual retreat, which took place at the Exco Chambers’ Centenary City in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The forum’s push for extended maternity leave aims to promote better work-life balance, support families, and prioritize women’s health.
The Chairperson of the forum, Prof Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of Kwara governor, said the implementation of the policy will improve maternity and child welfare in the country.
“The forum pledged to vigorously advocate for adopting six months of paid maternity leave, engaging executive governors and state legislators to promote this policy across all states for improved maternity and child welfare,” she said.
She noted that the forum also endorsed the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, GAVI, Initiative to protect the health of girls.
The forum, she said, is committed to sustaining advocacy for the HPV vaccine uptake to protect their health as well.
“The next line of action is a selective sensitisation of wives of local government chairmen on HPV vaccine and cancer awareness,” Mrs Abdulrazaq said.
Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, wife of Ebonyi’s governor, hosted the meeting that brought together 23 wives of state governors from across Nigeria.
She expressed her delight with the visit, which was a significant gathering of the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum.
The meeting held at the Exco Chambers’ Centenary City in Abakaliki began on a somber note, with a one-minute silence observed in honor of Patience Eno, the late wife of Akwa Ibom’s governor, who passed away on September 26.