Monday , March 25 2024

House of Representatives reject bill seeking to give paternity leave to Nigerian men

The House of Representatives yesterday rejected a bill seeking to give parternity leave to Nigerian men whenever their wives welcome a baby.

The bill for an Act to make provisions for optional paternity leave to all married male employees in private and public service was sponsored by Edward  Pwajok (APC, Plateau state).

 

According to Pwajok who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN ), the proposal for a two or more weeks (depending on the decision of the of House) paternity leave is to ensure that mother and child get adequate assistance and care from the father.

“As father’s share of parenting is on the increase, they experience similar challenges with women, such as their jobs and family duties clashing.  Making provision for maternity leave without provision for maternity leave is discriminatory against men.

No better person can support a newly born baby than the father which will make the child more emotionally stable if the father stayed close. This will not be peculiar to Nigeria alone, it’s done globally,” he told the house during a debate on the bill.

Rejecting the bill, a member of the house, Betty Apiafi  (PDP, Rivers) said since maternity leave issue was discussed in the Labour Act, it would have been better it came as an amendment to the Act and not as a bill.

Apiati alongside other lawmakers Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (PDP, Abia), Rita Orji (PDP, Lagos), Nicholas Ossai ( PDP, Delta) and  Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) argued that men should be out trying to provide for the upkeep of the family rather than staying back at home. They also wondered how many times a man with six or seven wives would go on leave if the bill becomes law.

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The motion was roundly defeated in a voice vote.

(LIB)

About Chinenye Nwabueze

Nwabueze is a writer with passion for cutting-edge news

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31 comments

  1. Hmmmm…paternity leave? Some men don’t know how to take care of babies, that’s why women are preferable. If they really want to assist the wives they should do so by providing for her needs, kids not excluded!

  2. house of reps and its issues

  3. Paternity leave should be considered

  4. Anozie chidubem

    hmm

  5. I am not understanding this people

  6. this confused human beings

  7. hmmm….if its really optional ..then its cool

  8. ONUORAH ADAEZE CHIDIMMA

    Paternity leave waiting you guys should keep on working there should be maternity leave jare

  9. ANAGBOSO CHIMDIMMA JOY

    There should be paternity leave oo

  10. Nwankwo chinaza Blessing

    na una sabi e no concern atoll,dey should sort demselves out

  11. Nwankwo chinaza Blessing

    na una sabi e no concern me jhor,u guys shud sort urselves out

  12. Ezenwajiugo Somto Prosper

    hmm…Lazy elders

  13. Chidozie chiazokam jennifer

    This country sha..anyways is none of my business.

  14. Though is smhow but it should be considered

  15. Ebeledike Ifunanya

    I think that should be considered ooh. so that this old men there can rest or better still go on retirement for the betterment of this great country

  16. Omenuko Adaobi Promise

    House of reps should consider

  17. Egbuwalo Teniola Glory

    Nigerians always shallow minded

  18. Please this leave should be considered please

  19. The bill should be approved, so the men can take good care of their wives and the baby

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