Nursing Mothers: APC Govs to grant 6 months maternity leave in states

Tom Okpe, Abuja

Governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC have agreed to grant six months maternity leave for nursing mothers in their respective states, governed.

This resolution was part of the communique released to journalists at the end of the Virtual Meeting of Secretaries to Governments of the party in states held in Abuja recently under the auspices of the Progressives Governors Forum, PGF with the theme: “Developing Common Policy Initiatives on Maternal ànd Child Nutrition Promotion in the APC States.”

According to Alhaji Adamu Fanini and Professor Danladi Atu, Secretary to State Government in Jigawa and Plateau States, respectively, the resolution was aimed at encouraging and supporting women to practice six months of exclusive breastfeeding of children from birth.

The objective was to consider and approve the implementation framework for the promotion of maternal and child nutrition in the APC States.

The Co-Chairmen of PGF Governance Programme Steering Committee, Simon Bako Lalong, Governor of Plateau State, declared the meeting open, while his counterpart in Jigawa State, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, declared the meeting closed.

The meeting followed a series of other sessions with the Commissioners of Health, Agriculture, and Education, where the framework was discussed extensively.

Accordingly, the meeting reviewed the current status of the child and maternal nutrition in APC states and considered the PGF Secretariat’s Proposal on the implementation of the Framework.

Participants considered the Implementation Framework presented by the PGF Secretariat which was based on the assessment of Status Report and General discussions on Maternal and Child Nutrition in the APC States; and Communication Template for Promotion of Maternal and Child Nutrition.

It was however resolved that, “APC controlled states commit themselves to promoting essential nutrient fortified foods and supplements for children under the ages of 5 and nursing mothers;

“Because of the significant role parental support play in the lives of children and the need to enhance the health of nursing mothers, APC States are committed to implementing the recommendation to prioritize granting 180 days, 6 months, maternity leave for nursing mothers in the APC States;

“APC States undertake to design effective communication strategies to raise public awareness and transform public attitudes towards issues related to malnutrition and its effects on the Child and nursing mothers;

“APC State Governments are also committed to encouraging and supporting women to practice six months of exclusive breastfeeding of children from birth; and given the strong linkages between national and food security, the APC States should adopt sustainable strategies and other initiatives for strengthening food production and food security, as part of their development programmes.”

The meeting expressed profound appreciation to the PGF Secretariat for the excellent organization of the virtual meeting.

While commending the PGF Secretariat for promoting synergy, greater cooperation, and joint policy initiatives across the APC States, geared towards sustainable development in the states and the country in general; it was also agreed that it will continue sharing information, ideas and knowledge through its quarterly meetings.