The Jigawa state Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has urged the state government to domesticate the federal law extending maternity leave from three to six months.
Chairman of the group Comrade Shuaibu Musa Kafingana made the appeal at a policy dialogue on paid maternity leave extension.
He cited the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) recommendations.
“Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is crucial for a child’s health,” Kafingana emphasized.
The extended leave according to him is aimed at Supporting work-life balance and job security for nursing mothers adsibg that it will allow mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
Explaining further he said it will provide adequate time for physical and emotional recovery after childbirth
The group’s advocacy is seeking to prioritize the health and well-being of nursing mothers and their children in Jigawa State.

By Friday Idachaba

VOWE Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to advancing the education and empowerment of women and girls in Nigeria has unveiled 20 winners of the 2nd edition of the Sophie Uzodimma Onovo Women Undergraduate Scholarship.

In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the Foundation revealed that the 20 exceptional female final-year students who scaled the hurdle to clinch the award are to enjoy provision of full tuition and other educational expenses for their final year of study.

The statement said that the awardees were selected from educational tertiary institutions in Enugu and Imo states.

It said that the 2024 prestigious scholarship award marked a significant step in the Foundation’s resolve to foster educational opportunities and empower the next generation of women leaders.

The scholarship, which is being generously funded by the founder of VOWE Foundation, Mrs Sophie Uzodimma Onovo, is designed to support female students education in tertiary institutions.

The award is to alleviate financial barriers confronting the students and empower them to pursue their academic goals through provision of full tuition and other educational expenses for the final year of study.

Speaking on the importance of the scholarship, Mrs Sophie Uzodimma Onovo stated, “Education is the cornerstone of personal and societal growth” adding that it also enables the recipients to focus on their studies without financial worries.

“It marks a significant step in our commitment to fostering educational opportunities and empowering the next generation of women leaders.

“By investing in the education of these young women, we are not only helping them achieve their dreams but also contributing to the future of our communities”, she said.

Onovo who is also founder of the VOWE Foundation said the non-profit making body is committed to supporting women, “especially those in underserved communities, to reach their full
potential.”

She said that the selection process for this year’s scholarship was highly competitive, with numerous applications from talented and dedicated female students.

Mrs Onovo held that the 20 chosen beneficiaries demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership potentials, and a strong commitment to community service.

Among the 20 awardees, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has 7; Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), 4; Imo State University (IMSU), 3 and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), 2.

Others are Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT), 1; Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, 2 and Federal Polytechnic Owerri, 1. (Ends)

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Kogi State House of Assemblymember,Hon. Omotayo Adeleye, representing Ijumu constituency has called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to fulfill his pledge of providing 40% representation for women in his administration.

Speaking with journalists at the Assembly complex in Lokoja, Adeleye urged men to support Governor Ododo’s commitment to increased women’s participation in governance, rather than discourage it. She noted that while the governor has made significant strides in promoting women’s inclusivity during his seven months in office, further steps should be taken to fulfill the 40% pledge for women in both appointive and elective positions.

“He [Governor Ododo] recently announced that he intends to go beyond the 35% Affirmative Action to raise it to 40%. That’s a very commendable move, and I believe he will make it happen,” Adeleye said.

The lawmaker praised the governor’s efforts in ensuring women’s representation in his administration, citing her own role as an example of his commitment.

Adeleye, the first woman to represent Ijumu constituency and one of only two women in the 25-member 8th Kogi Assembly, acknowledged that the push for women’s inclusivity began under former Governor Yahaya Bello, but Governor Ododo had continued and promised to enhance it.

She also called on men to be more open-minded in creating opportunities for women, emphasizing that while women may not be asking for total equity, they do deserve a fair share in leadership.

Adeleye rated Governor Ododo’s administration highly in several sectors, highlighting his achievements during his first seven months in office. She expressed confidence in his ability to further develop the state, especially now that legal pressures surrounding his governorship have subsided.

“Governor Ododo has been wonderful in his leadership, and I believe that now, free from court cases, he will perform even better. The people of Kogi State should support him fully to allow him to continue delivering on his promises,” she concluded. (Ends)