Abia State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the state government to approve 21 days paternity leave for male public and civil servants whose wives put to bed to support them in catering for the wives and the new babies.
This followed the presentation and consideration of a motion titled H.A M.35: Motion for the state to approve paternity leave for male officers in Abia State public and Civil Service, sponsored by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Mathias Ume.
The motion which generated heated debate on the floor of the House was later adopted with modification, as announced by the Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa.
The sponsor of the motion, Mr Mathias Ume, posited that granting the Paternity Leave to male civil servants in the state will assist them in providing the much needed support their wives need during their period of child birth and in taking care of new born as well as enhance parental bonding among others.
He recalled that the federal government had through the Head of Service of the federal approved such through a circular with some other states across the federation keying into the policy.
The motion was notably supported by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Augustine Okezie, the Majority Leader Mr Uchenna Okoro, the member for Ukwa East Mr Lewis Obianyi and that of Bende South, Emmanuel Ndubuisi, who said it would give a sense of belonging and support to the males as well as better parenting.
However, some legislators including Chijioke Uruakpa, Mr Boniface Isienyi, Mr Solomon Akpulonu, Mandela Obasi all opposed the motion based on the unproductivity or dichotomy it may create between those in the public and private sectors.
