FEC okays paternity leave, N3 billion for education, communications projects

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has approved paternity leave for federal civil servants.

Briefing newsmen after the council’s meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoSCF), Folashade Yemi-Esan, explained that,“henceforth, male federal civil servants will be entitled to a 14-day paternity leave like their female counterparts.”

“This is to enable for proper bonding between the father and the new-born baby, especially at the early stage of the child’s life, which was hitherto enjoyed by only female civil servants,” she said.

Yemi-Esan hinted that adopted babies of less than four months would also enjoy the gesture.

Offering more insight, the HoSCF, who was flanked by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, further observed: “Paternity leave is the leave that is approved for men when their spouses or wives have given birth to newborns, or if the husbands and wives have just adopted babies of less than four months. Then the men are entitled to a paternity leave of about 14 days.

“That is what has been approved. So, the men and their babies can also bond. It’s important because we want the young children and the youths to bond properly.”

ALSO, the FEC sanctioned N3.109 billion for projects in the Ministries of Education and Communications and Digital Economy.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who confirmed the development after briefing newsmen at the end of the virtual meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday in Abuja, stated: “Residence for the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, as well as funding to augment the execution of five projects at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.”