NIGERIAN COUPLES WITH NO MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE RISKS DENIAL OF BENEFITS
The Permanent Secretary, therefore advised existing couples who do not have their certificate issued by the Ministry of Interior to visit the Ministry’s website, in order to re-certify their marriage certificates in their own interest.
Penpushing further reports that the Federal Government declared that, not all places of worship are permitted to conduct marriages, with advice to Nigerians in ensuring that their marriages are conducted in places licensed by the Ministry of Interior.
“This is for the marriage to be credible and registered in the National database of legally certified marriages. If the certificate is not printed and delivered by the Principal Registrar of Marriages, then it is illegal and cannot serve the desired purpose. Arrangements are ongoing for couples whose certificates were not issued in line with the Marriage Act of opportunity to bring them to conformity.”
The Permanent Secretary, while speaking on the benefits of the certificate, said it will be recognised by all Foreign Embassies during visa application, and also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accept the certificate for the guidance of Foreign Embassies in Nigeria and Nigerian Missions abroad.
Penpushing reports that Ehuriah pointed out that conducting marriages by places of worship not duly licensed by the Ministry will be considered a breach of the Marriage Act, stating, “presently, only about 4,689 licensed places of worship in Nigeria have updated their records with the Ministry of Interior; 314 have renewed their licenses to conduct statutory marriages,” .
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that, the Ministry is building a database for all statutory marriages conducted in Nigeria, adding that, “it has also developed a database for all places of worship licensed for celebration of marriages. This will enable the ministry to be in a good position to respond to enquiries from various interested parties from within and outside Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that, she explained that documentation process for the licensing of places of worship has been automated to facilitate submission of application for licenses by interested places of worship.
Her words, “administrators of places of worship are encouraged to meet the requirements to satisfy their members”, adding that government at all levels has the responsibility of ensuring the sanctity of marriage by supporting any initiative aimed at promoting compliance with the Act.
Penpushing reports that, Director, Citizenship and Business at the Ministry, Stephen Okon, in his remark said, it is important to educate the public on the key requirements of the Marriage Act,stressing, “sometimes citizens are denied their rights because of the manner their certificates of marriage was documented”
The Director also noted that Nigerians do not conduct statutory marriage even after traditional and church marriage “despite the growing popularity of Registry marriage”.
