Gombe State First Lady, Hajiya Asma’u Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has led a delegation of health stakeholders on an advocacy visit to the Gombe State House of Assembly, seeking legislative support for the extension of maternity leave from three to six months for working mothers in the state.
Speaking during the advocacy meeting held at the conference hall of the State House of Assembly, Hajiya Asma’u Yahaya emphasized that six months of exclusive breastfeeding would significantly reduce infant mortality, improve immunity, and enhance cognitive development among infants.
She noted that extending the maternity leave to six months would promote better maternal health, strengthen child development, and align Gombe State with global health standards. The First Lady therefore urged the legislature, under the leadership of the Speaker, Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, to deliberate and pass the necessary framework to actualize the policy.
Responding, Speaker Luggerewo described the visit by the First Lady as historic in the annals of the Assembly.
He assured that the House was fully committed to supporting the initiative within its legislative powers.
According to him, the State Assembly has in the past passed several laws geared toward healthcare improvement and child protection, reaffirming its dedication to advancing the well-being of women and children in Gombe State.
Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Miss Omowumi Gbamis expressed optimism that legislative backing for the six-month maternity leave would greatly enhance the health and productivity of women while improving overall child health outcomes.
Gombe State Coordinator of the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Mrs. Comfort Mukollo, highlighted the pivotal role the CSSUNN supported by UNICEF has played in advancing advocacy for the six-month paid maternity leave policy.
According to her, CS-SUNN has consistently engaged in strategic advocacy visits to key policymakers, including members of the State Executive Council, the State House of Assembly, and relevant ministries such as Health, Women Affairs, and Budget and Planning.
These engagements, she explained, were aimed at garnering political commitment and legislative backing for policies that promote maternal, infant, and young child nutrition.
Mrs. Mukollo noted that CS-SUNN has also facilitated stakeholder dialogues, media sensitization, and community-level awareness campaigns, ensuring that the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and adequate maternal care remains a priority on the state’s health agenda.
She emphasized that through evidence-based advocacy and collaboration with development partners, CS-SUNN has contributed significantly to strengthening nutrition governance and influencing policy implementation in Gombe State.
Other stakeholders who pledged support for the campaign include the Chairman, House the Committee on Health, Hon. Siddi Buba; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Asma’u Mohammed Iganus.