… As FCT residents react to FG’s policy on paternity leave***
The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has urged the Federal Government to reconsider collection of the Value Added Tax (VAT) in favour of state governments.
Obasa made the call during the 13th Annual Hijrah Lecture 1443 A.H (2021), an event commemorating Islamic calendar and organised by the Lagos assembly on Thursday at its complex.
The newsmen report that the theme of the lecture is: ‘The Role of the Youth in the Emerging Socio-Economic and Political Realities’.
The speaker noted that the practice of true federalism was one of the major solutions to the county’s many challenges.
Obasa noted that China relied on the provinces of the country while the U.S. practised true federalism.
He said that if Nigeria practised true federalism, it should be more consistent.
Also read: VAT Saga: Oyo State seeks to join Rivers’ suit against FG
“We should operate in a way that Osun would explore its resources and Zamfara would do same,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to see the current situation as an opportunity to address the issue of collection of VAT in favour of the states.
Obasa said if Nigeria was to make progress, the country should follow the steps of the U.S. and China, which relied on the provinces.
The speaker, however, lauded the topic of the lecture, saying it was very important.
“What is the situation of our country? What is the situation with the youth? How do we live our lives? What is the health and educational situation of the country?
“We talk about youth unemployment, but what is the state of education and qualifications? The topic is important, especially with the argument that the economy has become seriously challenged.
“The standard of living and the rate of poverty are biting. Months ago, the dollar rate was still welcoming at a little above N300 but today, it is more than N550.
“This current situation of the country is an opportunity for the Federal Government to address the issue of VAT,” he said.
The speaker said Hijrah afforded Muslims the opportunity to thank Allah and continue to have faith in Him.
In his lecture, Shaykh Muhyideen Bello, Chief Imam and Missioner, Ansar ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Northern States Council, urged youths to know they would one day lead the country.
Bello also advocated for women to be given more important roles in the governance of the country.
On his part, Dr Sa’eid Ahmad, Consultant General Surgeon, decried the moral decadence in the society, the rot in the education and other sectors.
Ahmad said youths must be diligent and hardworking even in the face of the country’s challenges.
Addressing the guests after the lecture, Mr Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that on the part of Lagos state government, the points raised by the lecturers would be considered and their suggestions implemented.
Ayinde described the topic of the event as thought provoking.
In the meantime, a cross section of FCT residents on Thursday, extolled the Federal Government’s approval of 14-days paternity leave for fathers of newborn and adopted babies.
The residents spoke with the newsmen in Abuja, against the backdrop of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of 14-days paternity leave.
The policy seeks to enable men to properly bond with their newborn babies or adopted ones.
Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, Head of Service of the Federation, had in her address on the initiative, explained that paternity leave was approved for men when their wives are delivered of their new babies.
A resident, Mr Mohammed Bashir, said that the responsibility of child care after child birth should not be left for mothers alone.
According to him, the policy initiative is apt, because it would encourage men to also play key roles in child upbringing after birth.
“I think the policy is a right step in the right direction, since sometimes children are left alone in the hands of people we do not even know.
“What is happening in this country today is because we do not have enough time to bring up children properly.
“It should not be the responsibility of women alone to look after their new born, men should have a stake in it, therefore, the government has really done what needs to be done,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs Eunice Modupe, a Civil Servant, commended the initiative.
She said it was a welcome idea, noting that, some men undergo trauma before and after child birth.
“When we look at it, it is only the women that are given maternity leave, but in most cases men go through trauma too in the process of their child’s birth.
“Most often, when women go to the delivery room, men feel so traumatized than their wives. Obviously a mother that has just given birth cannot do anything.
“Men who do not have means to support their wife will benefit from such policy, because they can now assist their spouses during pregnancy and after child birth,” Modupe said.
In the same vein, Johnson Emmanuel, expressed appreciation to government for coming up with the policy, noting that, it would enable fathers bond with their new born.
“It is a welcome development, in terms of deepening relationship between the father and the child. The father can also help his wife to take care of their child together.
“There should be some space for the father to leave work and take care of the family,” Emmanuel said.
Bello Kajuru, a Civil Servant said, “It is a good policy for fathers to share quality time with their children and also, enable children know their parent as they grow.
“A father can also chart a way forward for his child as he or she grows,” Kajuru said.
On the other hand, Mr Ademiju Adelani, said that paternity leave should be designed to suit both fathers and mothers of newborns to enjoy the period also known as “Omugwo” together.
“Paternity leave for fathers is good on one hand and bad on the other hand; what will a 14-day leave do to impact on new-natal period “first four weeks” in the upbringing of new born.
“The policy should be tailored for both mothers and fathers to take care of their newborn together at the early stages of child birth,” Adelani said.
The newsmen report that the 14 days paternity leave approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) seeks to encourage fathers to help ease pressure of attendant child care after birth.
