TODAY’S VIEWPOINT IS ON TACKLING UNWHOLESOME PRACTICES IN NIGERIA’S MARRIAGE REGISTRIES. IT IS WRITTEN BY HEAD OF EDITORIAL UNIT, YETUNDE OKE
Every week, single Nigerians, both males and females flock to marriage registries with the intent of formalizing their marital bonds.
Court marriage, also known as civil marriage or statutory marriage, offers several benefits to couples who choose this form of union.
Court marriages are legally recognized by the government and provide couples with legal rights and obligations regarding each other, their children, and their properties.
This recognition also extends to across national borders, facilitating ease of travel and residency in other countries.
Compared to traditional marriage ceremonies, court marriages typically involve a simpler and more streamlined process as couples are required to complete paperwork, attend a brief ceremony in front of a judge or magistrate, and obtain a marriage certificate.
Court marriages are generally more cost-effective than traditional weddings.
They involve minimal ceremony expenses, such as venue rental, catering, and decorations.
Additionally, the fees associated with obtaining a marriage certificate and registering the marriage are typically lower than those for religious or cultural ceremonies.
It offers couples greater privacy and flexibility in choosing the timing and location of their ceremony, in which they can schedule their marriage at a convenient time.
In the event of separation or divorce, court-married couples are entitled to legal processes for resolving disputes and dividing assets.
In Nigeria, marriage registries are under the administration of local government councils and the federal ministry of interior.
Also, it is worthy to note that in 2020, the federal government reduced registration fees from twenty one thousand naira to fifteen thousand naira for statutory ordinary marriage and from thirty five thousand naira to twenty five thousand naira for statutory special licence.
However, instances of extortion allegedly persist among officials of the marriage registries.
Examples of such are being played out at many local government marriage registries in Ibadan, Oyo state and in other parts of the country.
Intending married couples, apart the mandated fees, are coerced into additional payments, such as five thousand naira, a pack of canned malt, a carton of biscuits, and plates of food.
Furthermore, couples and their families are subjected to further monetary demands during the ceremony, with obligatory gratuities for uninvited drummers.
Failure to comply with these demands will result in redirection to designated stores within the local government premises, aggravating delays and frustration.
Also, the sheer volume of marriages registered, often exceeding five ceremonies on weekdays and up to ten on weekends, underscores the magnitude of this exploitation.
Such nefarious practices not only undermine the financial savings and stress reduction sought by couples opting for registry weddings, but also raise pertinent questions about governmental oversight.
Addressing all these unwholesome practices in Nigeria’s marriage registries requires a multi-faceted approach involving legal reforms, accountability mechanisms, and public awareness campaigns.
The governments must enforce existing anti-corruption laws rigorously, prosecuting individuals found guilty of engaging in corrupt practices within marriage registries such as soliciting bribes, extortion, and other forms of corruption.
Introducing digital systems for marriage registration and documentation can reduce opportunities for corruption by minimizing human intervention and discretion.
Electronic records and online payment systems can enhance transparency and efficiency while reducing the risk of bribery and extortion.
Also, providing training programs for registry officials on ethical conduct, customer service, and the importance of upholding legal standards can help instill a culture of integrity within registries.
Educating the public about their rights and the proper procedures for marriage registration can empower couples to resist extortion and bribery attempts.
Campaigns through various channels, including media, community outreach, and online platforms, can raise awareness about the consequences of corruption and encourage citizens to report wrongdoing.
Offering incentives for whistleblowers who report instances of corruption within marriage registries, such as protection from retaliation or financial rewards, can incentivize individuals with knowledge of wrongdoing to come forward and assist in combating corruption.
Ultimately, combating corruption in marriage registries requires strong political will and leadership at both the national and local levels.
Government officials must prioritize anti-corruption efforts, demonstrate commitment to transparency and accountability, and lead by example in upholding ethical standards.
By implementing these strategies comprehensively and collaboratively, Nigeria can work towards rooting out unwholesome practices in marriage registries and fostering a more transparent, efficient, and accountable system for marriage registration.
