The Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF) has called on Governors and State Legislators to implement the six-month Pay Maternity Leave Policy in the 36 states of the federation.

The forum made the call on Thursday, in a communique issued at the end of its annual retreat held at Exco Chamber’s Centenary City in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The Chairperson of the forum, Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the wife of Kwara governor said the implementation of the policy will improve maternity and child welfare in the country.

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“The forum 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.

She noted that the forum also endorsed the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) Initiative to protect the health of girls.

The forum, she said, is committed to sustaining advocacy for the HPV vaccine uptake to protect their health as well.

“The next line of action is a selective sensitisation of wives of local government chairmen on HPV vaccine and cancer awareness, “Abdulrazaq said.

Earlier, wife of Ebonyi governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, who hosted hhe meeting, expressed satisfaction over the visit.

The meeting was attended by 23 wives of state governors of the federation.

The meeting observed one-minute silence in honour of their departed colleague, the wife of the Akwa Ibom governor, Mrs. Patience Eno, who died on September 26.

The Star