Nursing mothers in Osun State’s public service will soon be able to take a six-month maternity leave.
Dr. Akindele Adekunle, Special Adviser to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Public Health, stated this during a one-day symposium on creating an enabling breastfeeding environment for working women in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Dr Akindele insisted that the government was adhering to World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
He said:
“This is in concerted effort with the Wives of Nigerian Governors’ Forum advocacy for approval of six months paid maternity leave for nursing mothers.
“Governor Adeleke is set to send a bill to the House of Assembly and domesticate enabling laws to this effect.
“I’m happy to inform all our nursing mothers in our different offices that as a listening and people loving Governor, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has promised to send a bill to the House of Assembly to enact enabling laws to make maternity leave six months for nursing mothers in a bid to allow them to be able to tend to their babies and encourage them to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months as recommended by the W.H.O.
“But I will plead and advise this gathering and the entire public that whenever there’s any public hearing by the House of Assembly concerning the bill, all stakeholders must raise their voice in support of the bill.”
He also assured the governor’s willingness to renovate basic and secondary health facilities across Osun State.
Titilola Adeleke, the Governor’s wife, also expressed her willingness to lobby for and collaborate with essential stakeholders to guarantee the agenda’s fulfilment.
According to the Governor’s wife:
“I use this medium to tell this gathering that I am committed and will work tirelessly with other critical stakeholders to ensure the approval of six months paid maternity leave and other favourable maternal policies for working mothers in the State.”
cc: Daily Post Ng
