Cross section of participants at this year edition of Emmanuel Oladimeji Shoremi foundation 's interactive forum with lawyers and general public have called for an urgent review of the Nigeria's marriage act so as to correct many knotty areas.
The forum, attended by eminent personalities and distinguished members of the bar and bench, was held on Thursday at the Federal Medical Center,School of Nursing Hall,Idi- Aba, Abeokuta.
They described the marriage act under the Nigerian Constitution as one handed down by the British years back and and no longer peculiar to Nigerians' current society.
Earlier,while delving on the theme of the discourse,"Marriage in Nigeria; Facts,myths and legal realities" with the topic: Marriage in the Nigeria of the 21th Century; The Moral imperative", Barr. Emmanuel Olu- Alade and Barr. Osunfuyi Vincent Osunfisan harped on present embodiments of the marriage act in line with Nigerian Constitution, they cited what are acceptable and what are not acceptable in Nigeria's marriage acts.
Harping on many areas which included Dual marriage system Polygamy among others, stated that Polygamy was as not acceptable in Nigeria's marriage act either in the customary or statutorily.
They also informed the gathering that marriage Can be celebrated any where as long as the place is licensed such as Registry and place of worship, adding that marriage is never conducted in courts as many people referred to, but marriage is dissolved in Courts.
The two speakers in their summations also clarified issues such bordering on identity in marriage,stating that marriage under false names is not allowed in Nigeria law and also Picture/Picture marriage as an invalid one in the face of the law.
The speakers also hinted that men equally suffered in marriage and that the maxim that woman has to endure in marriage is a personal decision and not supported by law.
On dissolution, it was pointed out that both parties are free to institute divorce and that one instituted by a woman is not a taboo.
On the conception that dissolution of marriage, it was also pointed out that dissolution could take place with out presentation of certificate and that it is a complete misconception that marriage certificate belongs to a woman.
Contributing during the session, An Egba high chief, Ogo Oluwa Bankole described Marriage as a social problem that needs to be explained to all and sundry in an understandable languages
While another contributor added that Marriage as it is being connoted as an Institution should as well be established as a course of Study in Nigerian educational system.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Towulade of Akinhale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye described Justice (rtd) as man with large heart as it is very rare to see people celebrating the memory of a late son..
" Justice Shoremi is a very rare realist, dimeji as a young man has made his contributions to the law profession, society and humanity in general".
The Monarch also prayed for longer life and God's strength for Justice Shoremi and his wife.
The EOSF Profile
The Emmanuel Oladimeji Shoremi foundation 1981 is a foundation established to honour the memory of Emmanuel Oladimeji Shoremi, who was born in Abeokuta in the year 1981 and later because a second generation lawyer- being an alumnus of the faculty of law, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-:Iwoye and the Nigerian law School, Abuja Campus.
In his lifetime, 'Dimeji as fondly called had a passion for the growth of the legal profession, especially amongst young lawyers. He also had a big passion for social welfare programs which he undertook himself to put smiles on the faces of people no matter how few he could reach.
The ESOF is principally to continue to the good works of this rare gem. The foundation amongst other things, organizes legal lectures and enlightenment programs for the general public who desires a better society, makes donations to parents in hospitals, to welfare homes and organizes sports programmes for young people.
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