wedding-ring
Some lawyers in Lagos on Friday argued that, under the Marriage
Act, there is no provision for a married woman to bear her maiden
name.
They suggested the need for women to change their surnames after
marriage, warning that retention of maiden name could lead to
misunderstanding or divorce.
The lawyers spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria against the
backdrop of the claim by some people that maiden name should
continue to form a part of a woman’s record as it helps to shape
her career.
While some lawyers said that a woman could join her maiden name
with that of her husband to form a compound name if her husband
permits, others advised that maiden names should be dropped
altogether immediately after marriage.
They argued that since marriage is a change of status, it also
implies acquisition of a new name.
One of the lawyers who spoke to NAN, Mr. Ayotunde Ologe, noted
that there were legal presumptions that a woman would need to
execute a change of name after marriage.
“Women must have noticed that, in most forms they fill, they
come across a column for maiden name. This simply means father’s
name before marriage.
“This, alone, presupposes the fact that there needs to be a
change of name and the name change is to reflect the fact that a
woman is now married to someone.
“However, if it is permitted by the husband for his wife to
continue with her maiden name after marriage, then that may
suffice; but where the husband feels strongly about it, then the
best approach is for the woman to stick strictly to her husband’s
name,’’ he said.
On whether children should bear their father’s name or their
grandfather’s, the lawyer said that it was logical for children to
bear the name of their own father.
“Why will my own son want to bear the name of his grandfather?
Surname is your father’s name; so, it is very abnormal for a son to
quote his grandfather’s name,” he argued.
Mrs. Funmibi Adeosun, also a lawyer, advised that change of name
should be discussed and resolved before marriage.
She said that lack of adequate communication between spouses
contributes much to misunderstanding and divorce.
“In Africa, a woman is meant to assume her husband’s name after
marriage. However, there should be no problem in retaining your
father’s name if it is allowed by your husband,” she said.
“I’m a Christian and it is biblical for a woman to be submissive
to her husband; it is important for a woman to submit to the
opinion of the man in this regard.
“However, where the husband consents to the wife keeping her
father’s name along with his own name, then that can be
permissible.
“It is, however, sad to note that things as little as this can
cause problems in the home due to the absence of communication,”
she said.
Mr. Chukwu Agwu, also a Lagos-based lawyer, described retention
of maiden name by a woman as “a show of ego.”
He added that joining maiden name with husband’s name is
unnecessary.
“If my daughter is married and I join in signing the marriage
register, why should I insist on her retaining my name? It is
absolutely unnecessary.
“The Bible does not say a woman should carry her home to another
home; so, why carry your father’s name to your husband’s house?
“Under the marriage Act, there is no requirement for maiden name
and there is also no law which permits the children to use their
mother’s maiden name,” he said.
According to Agwu, issues such as a woman’s insistence on the
use of her maiden name are responsible for misunderstandings in
marriages.
(NAN) Punch
Read more why-women-shouldnt-use-maiden-name-after-marriage-lawyers/
2019 Elections: Nigerian Army Constitutes Panel to
Investigate Misconduct of Personnel
As a way of ensuring that NA troops deployed for election
security duties during the 2019 General Elections conducted
themselves within laid down Rules of Engagement and the Code of
Conduct, the NA has set up a 9-member investigative committee,
headed by Maj Gen TA Gagariga with Brig Gen JM Ali, Brig Gen GO
Adeshina, Brig Gen MA Obari, Col AT Bitiyong, Col A Tanko and Col
WA Bakare as members and Lt Col PAJ Ebuk as Secretary to
investigate all allegations of misconduct against the NA during the
just concluded general elections. The committee is to submit its
report not later than 31st of March, 2019.
The committee, which has already commenced action, was
inaugurated by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General
KAY Isiyaku on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS ) Lieutenant
General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and admonished to carry out their
duties objectively, fairly and transparently in line with its Terms
of Reference.
The committee’s Terms of Reference centered on thoroughly
investigating the activities, actions and/or inactions of NA
Personnel in all the States that alleged one infraction/wrong doing
or the other.
The Committee is also to collate and thoroughly analyze all
reports to determine the veracity of the allegations including the
alleged assassination attempt on Rivers State Governor and the
circumstances that led to the shooting to death of Lt Kurmi as well
as that leading to serious injuries to an officer and some soldiers
in the State.
The Committee is further mandated to visit all States where
issues have been raised about the conduct of NA during and after
the elections and also interact with Civil Society Organizations,
sister security agencies and State Governors with claims against
the Army.
It would be recalled that the COAS, Lt Gen TY Buratai has on
many fora, consistently (both in words and actions), soundly
indicated that, under his watch, NA personnel must remain
apolitical, respect human rights and abide by the rule of law in
all its official engagements within or outside Nigeria and in or
out of conflict situation. NA troops were deployed for the
elections under Operation SAFE CONDUCT that was set up to provide
support to the NP and other security agencies to ensure hitch free
and successful elections in the country.
The Chairman of the committee, Major General TA Gagariga has
assured the COAS and all Nigerians of the commitee’s commitment,
resolve and determination to objectively and professionally address
the major issues as contained in the Committee’s Terms of
Reference.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations