Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has announced that female civil servants in the state will get six months for maternity leave.
Speaking after he was sworn for a second term on Wednesday, the governor explained that the initiative was to ensure that children were adequately cared for, well-fed and receive all the nutrients they would need within the first six months of their lives.
He also announced free medical care for children below five years in public hospitals in the state.
“In education and health, we have shown a commitment with investments to expand the access of ordinary people to these public goods,” El-Rufai said.
He added, “Our commitment to universal health coverage will continue. Therefore, we shall accelerate the implementation of contributory health insurance scheme as a priority of this administration.
“Just yesterday, our state executive council approved six months of maternity leave for female public servants. This is to encourage the healthy development of infants.
“Mothers in our state are also reminded that children up to age five get free medical care in our hospitals. They are entitled to free regular medical checkups in all public hospitals. Please, take advantage of this.”
The governor also announced that his government has made free and compulsory education available for girls in the state.
“We took bold steps to improve the teaching standards. We have made basic education truly free in Kaduna state and we have made education free and compulsory for our girls up to the end of senior secondary school,” he said.
He added, “We’ll continue to fix existing schools and build new classrooms where necessary and support our teachers to deliver decent public education.”
I am pleased to announce that just yesterday, our State Executive Council approved six months maternity leave for our female public servants. This encourages the healthy development of infants through prolonged breastfeeding, among other benefits.
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) May 29, 2019
I address you today with gratitude to Almighty God who has made this day possible. I salute you all for the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections in our state. With your votes, you have granted President Muhammadu Buhari and me the privilege of a second-term in office.
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
I am grateful for this mandate, and will discharge it responsibly. Please be assured that our Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and I will work tirelessly in the service of all the people of Kaduna State. pic.twitter.com/gOVuA4VOoz
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Permit me to use this opportunity to place on record my sincere appreciation for the service that His Excellency, Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala, has rendered to our state. As Deputy Governor, he was a committed partner as we worked tirelessly to make this state better… pic.twitter.com/THaRcL5x4S
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala has been a committed partner in our quest to develop Kaduna State. As he leaves the office of Deputy Governor, I thank him for his service and wish him and his family the very best pic.twitter.com/2e6WxoxOpq
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) May 29, 2019
Ours is the government of everyone who lives in Kaduna State. I call on every resident of Kaduna State to join hands with us in the hard tasks that lie ahead. Back in March 2019, we all made our democratic choices, and freely expressed our preferences… #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/aReoIi5iLe
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
… Whatever our partisan affiliations and however we might have voted, we are all compatriots and fellow citizens. It is time to put politics aside and work together in the urgent task of improving the lives of all our people, and keeping them safe. #NextLevelKaduna
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Let us cherish our diversity while embracing equal citizenship, the rule of law, and respect for the lives and livelihoods of all who call Kaduna State home. #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/Ki2CZn69vl
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
As stated in our acceptance speech after the election, we will continue to do our utmost to unite our state and rid our communities of strife. The pain of loss is unbearable, and it has been felt too frequently by too many of our fellow citizens
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
We must replace the legacy of division and violence with one of peaceful, collective endeavour in progressive undertakings. We should not maroon ourselves on the desert islands of identity politics, or neglect the obligations of our common humanity. #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/0twPgZ4LSr
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Strife is not our destiny,neither is division preordained. Let us come together in the ever more urgent task of human progress. To educate every child. To create jobs. To care for the sick. To protect life and property. To comfort the afflicted. To strive for peace in our time.
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
We pledge to continue the vigorous implementation of our governance agenda of Putting People First. During our first term, we signalled and then demonstrated that we stand firmly with ordinary people. We put the needs of ordinary people at the centre of governance.
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
In education and health, we have shown a commitment with investments to expand the access of ordinary people to these public goods. pic.twitter.com/EKRgnlAq6j
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Second Inauguration Address by Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, delivered at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, on Wednesday, 29th May 2019 :
1. pic.twitter.com/GolhOPvzaUGovernor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
As Deputy Governor @DrHadiza Balarabe and I begin this term of service to our people, I call on all residents of Kaduna State to unite in progressive endeavours for peace and development. May Almighty God bless our state and all its people. pic.twitter.com/WPzXEpbtBP
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) May 29, 2019
The second-term agenda is being outlined as Malam Nasir @elrufai delivers his inauguration address #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/Qxrna2Ke8I
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Malam Nasir @elrufai has taken the oath of office as the reelected Governor of Kaduna State #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/5kriolaX4B
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
HISTORY: The first elected female Deputy Governor in the far north of Nigeria, Her Excellency Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/vhZ0hsUAFW
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe is taking the oath of office as Deputy Governor of Kaduna State #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/cmvFwlaLxc
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019
Citizens are participating in the inauguration event at the Murtala Square, Kaduna #NextLevelKaduna pic.twitter.com/B4av8QWAli
Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) May 29, 2019