FG Sets Up
FG Sets Up marriage Registries in all 36
States
In its efforts at ensuring uniformity in the conduct of
statutory marriages, the Federal Government has declared its
intention to set up marriage registries in all the 36 state
capitals in the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Barr. Georgina
Ehuriah, MON, disclosed this today in Port Harcourt, River State,
while declaring open a one-day sensitisation conference on the
conduct of statutory marriages in Nigeria with the theme:
“Achieving Harmonious Compliance in the Conduct of Statutory
Marriage in Nigeria”, .
She said that arrangements are also underway to establish new
federal marriage registries in Umuahia, Abia State and Uyo in Akwa
Ibom State, to address the challenges faced by couples in the
South-South and South East Zones
Barr. Ehuriah further said that, “the Ministry is presently
considering some of the recommendations made by stakeholders in the
course of the conference like, extending the validity period for
licences issued to places of worship for the celebration of
marriages as well as downward review of the fees payable by couples
for conduct of statutory marriages in federal marriage
registries”.
She added that “a machinery has also been put in place for the
amendment of the Marriage Act to adequately meet the needs of the
21st century”.
The Registrar General of Marriages in Nigeria disclosed further
that, arrangements are on-going to give couples whose certificate
were not issued in line with the Act the opportunity to bring them
to conformity.
According to her, the Ministry is exploring the possibility of
integrating the marriage registries operated by Local Governments
into its online platform so as to bring them in conformity with the
Marriage Act.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Citizenship &
Business Department, of the Interior, Mr. Stephen Okon stated that
the Conference was necessitated by the
challenges faced by citizens because of wrong documentation of
their marriages which have led to series of litigations.
He stated that the conference is aimed at creating more
awareness on issues surrounding conduct of valid statutory marriage
as well as bringing about conformity with the law and uniformity in
the activities of the Marriage Registries across the nation.
Mr. Okon called for synergy among stakeholders to build a
harmonious collaboration that would help in resolving issues
militating against the sanctity in the conduct and documentation of
statutory marriages in the country.
The event which marks the end of the first round of the workshop on
the conduct of statutory marriages in the country, have earlier
been held in Abuja and Lagos for the North and Western zones.
SIGNED
Mohammed Manga
Director (Press & Public Relations)
For: Permanent Secretary