By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
Members of the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum yesterday called for the adoption of six months of paid maternity leave policy across the states in the country.
The forum assured of engaging state governors and lawmakers to promote the policy across the states of the federation for improved maternity and child welfare while embarking on advocacy.
Ambassador Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the Chairperson of the forum, stated this while briefing pressmen on the outcomes of their meeting at Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
"The first ladies have 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.
Abdulrazaq described the decision as a testament to the women's commitment to unity, collaboration, progress, and development in the service of their states and the nation as a whole
She added: "The forum affirms yet again its unwavering resolve to keep up the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in their various states.
"The first ladies have collectively endorsed the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, Gavi Initiative, committing to sustain advocacy for HPV vaccine uptake to protect our girls' health.
"The next line of action is a selective sensitization of wives of local government chairmen on HPV vaccine and cancer awareness."
Nigerian Pilot reports that about 23 members of the forum who were at the meeting stood up for a one-minute silence for their deceased colleague and First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, the late Pastor Mrs . Patience Umo Eno.
