Nigeria approves paternity leave for civil servants

The Government of Nigeria has approved a two-week paternity leave for civil servants.

This signifies a major shift in the country’s civil service rules and comes after years of debate around the issue.

Nigeria’s Head of Civil Service Folasade Yemi-Esan said that the 14-day paternity leave is to enable fathers and their newborns “bond well together”.

She says the leave is applicable to men whose spouses have given birth and those who have adopted a baby who is less than four months old.

Prior to this policy, only women were entitled to a maternity leave.

The introduction of the paternity leave in Nigeria comes as campaigners continue to advocate for men to be more involved in childcare and to support mothers.

This is an attempt to shift from the tradition of leaving childcare responsibility solely with the mothers.

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In other news: Pope appeals for security of Nigerian citizens

Pope Francis prayed for Nigerians who were killed in an attack on SundayImage caption: Pope Francis prayed for Nigerians who were killed in an attack on Sunday

Pope Francis has urged Nigeria to guarantee the safety of all citizens in the country in the wake of deadly attacks in the north.

The Pope prayed for those who had been killed and injured as a result of the insecurity, citing the attacks in Kaduna state over the weekend in which dozens of people died.

“I learned with sorrow of the news of the armed attacks last Sunday against the villages of Madamai and Abun, in northern Nigeria,” he said in his weekly general audience in the Vatican on Wednesday.

“I hope that the safety of every citizen might be guaranteed in the country,” he added.

Nigeria’s northern regions have been plagued by insecurity for years, including armed bandit attacks and kidnappings for ransom.

Source: BBC