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.
The motion was roundly defeated in a voice vote.
(LIB)
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!
True
house of reps and its issues
Paternity leave should be considered
hmm
I am not understanding this people
this confused human beings
hmmm….if its really optional ..then its cool
Paternity leave waiting you guys should keep on working there should be maternity leave jare
There should be paternity leave oo
na una sabi e no concern atoll,dey should sort demselves out
na una sabi e no concern me jhor,u guys shud sort urselves out
hmm…Lazy elders
This country sha..anyways is none of my business.
I think that it’s a nice idea.
Though is smhow but it should be considered
Nice sha
Good idea
It shud be considered
Confused set of people
Sounds nice
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
so so nice!!!
sounds good
House of reps should consider
Nigerians always shallow minded
I wish it was approved
Please this leave should be considered please
it should be considered
The bill should be approved, so the men can take good care of their wives and the baby
Sounds nice