Nigeria, March 19 -- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading, a bill seeking to allow widows and widowers to take leave with full pay to mourn deceased spouses.

The bill, sponsored by Saidu Abdulahi (APC, Niger), was debated on Tuesday by the lawmakers during plenary.

The legislation is proposing to make paid leave mandatory for widows and widowers. For widows, the bill proposes five months and one month for a widower.

"A widow is eligible for five months widowhood leave, while a widower is eligible for one month leave, both with full pay. This bill shall apply to employees of both public and private sectors of the federation," the proposal reads.

Leading the debate on the bill, Mr Abdulahi said widows and widowers ...