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  • Olukoya committed to bringing my father’s 25 years musical dream to fruition- Esho

    Music
    By Taiye Olayemi
    Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Bimbo Esho, Managing Director, Evergreen Musical Company, has commended the efforts of Dr Daniel Olukoya, Founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM), toward actualising her father’s 25 years musical dream.
    Esho, in a statement on Sunday, said that Olukoya’s unbridled love for music would finally turn around his father’s dream, Chief Femi Esho, who is the Chairman of Evergreen Musical Company.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olukoya, General Overseer (GO) of the MFM Church partnered  Esho to build a musical museum in Nigeria, located at Anthony in Lagos.
    The musical museum is known as “Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation”.
    “This bequeaths to future generations a strong philosophy on music while appreciating the sheer artistic genius of Nigeria’s renowned musical talents, many of whom had been forgotten”.
    She said this was a viable platform to ensure music of yesteryears continually gain prominence which had been the age-long goal of the company.
    She said her father’s 25 years musical dream had been to have a functional musical museum which could be seen as an experience centre where people could visit to gain knowledge on all genre of music from 100 years backwards.
    “If there is any lesson I have learnt in life, it is to share our vision and dream with like minds, so it doesn’t die with us.
    “Over the years, I have watched how many individuals reach the peak of their career and fame but end up dying without achieving their dreams.
    “Recalling the very first day my dad met with Dr Olukoya to discuss the Evergreen Project, he said Dr Olukoya told him that he was 100 per cent interested in the project.
    “There is no doubt that both men have intense and undiluted love for music. They have over the years selflessly given so much in ensuring that the Evergreens don’t go into extinction.
    “I have always had the conviction that the collaboration between these great men would birth that which generations will benefit from,” she said.
    Esho noted that aside Olukoya being an accomplished and respected preacher of the word and leading one of the most popular churches in Nigeria today, he also taught music.
    She said Olukoya wrote his first song in 1976 and his church choir was widely regarded as one of the best in the world, having won several international choir competitions in Europe and other parts of the world.
    According to her, the cleric has supported many musicians in achieving their goals.
    “Olukoya breathes, drink and eat quality music. Today he has over 200  hymns and songs to his credit.
    “Olukoya, who is the patron of the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation, has shown us that his word is his bond. His consistency in ensuring that my dad’s dream of 25 years is brought to fruition is mind blowing .
    “Not only has he used his goodwill together with ours to ensure we secure a magnificent edifice that perfectly matches the Evergreen Dream, his financial and moral contributions have been invaluable.
    “The museum, upon completion, will be an experience centre where people in and outside Nigeria will be privileged to see our country’s  musical worth and history.
    “There will be on display music from 1914, musical relics, old musical instruments, head bust of artistes, original vinyl of artistes, books, documentaries,  cassettes, reel to reel, gramophone as old as 100 years, journals, cassettes and more,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
    PTB/NCI/VIV
    ========
    Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Vivian Ihechu

  • NDPHC partners stakeholders to light up Agbara

     

    Electricity
    By Constance Athekame
    Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) says it is partnering with other stakeholders in the electricity industry to Light Up Agbara in Ogun State.
    Mr Sanya Adejokun, Media Adviser to the Managing Director of NDPHC said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
    Adejokun said that the Managing Director,  NDPHC Mr Chiedu Ugbo led other stakeholders in the electricity industry to the groundbreaking of the Light Up Agbara project.
    He said that Ugbo, who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima said that NDPHC was the catalyst as far as provision of electricity was concerned in the country.
    According to him, the  Federation has invested in NDPHC to the extent that the company has four thousand megawatts generation capacity built with people’s funds but it is grossly underutilised due to a number of factors outside its control.
    Ugbo said that in sspite the huge investment in the power sector,   Nigerians were still not getting the most benefit, saying NDPHC decided to take the lead by coming up  with the idea of Light Up Nigeria by rallying everybody in the industry together.
    “For many years, worried about what we can do to salvage the situation. I have been working with Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and then few years ago, we started partnering with Eko Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo).
     ”We did a bilateral agreement and then we signed the framework agreement and I insisted that we must go to Agbara, being the industrial cluster in sub-Saharan Africa to salvage the situation.
    ”We must provide electricity to industrial areas.“What the sector needs is the synergy by every stakeholder from gas through generation, through transmission, through distribution to end users,” he said.
    According to the managing director, the issue is to seek out the load centres like Agbara and that this is a pilot phase for the Light Up Nigeria Initiative.
    ”We brought the vice president here, who himself is leading this charge on behalf of the president to ensure that we energise businesses to enable industrial growth,” he said.
    Ugbo said that Eko DisCo was brought into the Agbara scheme because it was the owner of the franchise area while NDPHC was a generation company.
     “For our electricity to be dispatched, there must be demand and it is that demand that we are working on. That demand has to be facilitated by effective electricity transportation and that is why we brought in TCN.
    ”That is why we have Federal Government of Nigeria power company to unlock the bottlenecks in the transmission,” he said.
    Ugbo said that Federal Government of Nigeria power has taken the first step by bringing the mobile transformer to install in Agbara.
    He said that NDPHC was also working with its distribution contractors who, would do the reticulation together with Millwater to the various customers.
    Giving an update on the Light Up Nigeria project, NDPHC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ms Nkechi Mba said that aside Agbara, the company was also working assiduously to light other parts of Nigeria.
    Mbah said that NDPHC had inaugurated the light Up South East version with Vice President Kashim Shettima leading the charge.
    ”The North East version of the project will be inaugurated in Bauchi in July,” she said
    Mba urged stakeholders in Agbara industrial cluster to bear the delay in completing the project on schedule, explaining that it was due to certain unforeseen circumstances arising from the novelty of the project.
    She also commended FGN Power Company for generously providing the mobile transformer that was inaugurated.
    ”That we are at this stage today is because the Chairman of our Board, Vice President Kashim Shettima is bringing his influence to bear on this Initiative.
    ”Agbara will soon be replicated across Nigeria. After Bauchi and Kano, we plan to be in Port Harcourt,” she said.
    Also speaking on the capacity of the company to make the Light Up Nigeria a reality, NDPHC Executive Director, Generation, Mr  Kassim Abdulahi said that they have more than enough capacity to meet up with every obligation of the initiative.
    “We have enough available power in all our power plants. We have almost 3,000 Megawatts (MW)band ready to go but we are currently dispatching less than 1,000MW”, he said.b(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    COA/EEE
    ========
    Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

  • Strike: NASS leadership, SGF, NLC, Ministers in crucial meeting

    Strike: NASS leadership, SGF, NLC, Ministers in crucial meeting
    Strike

    By Kingsley Okoye

    Abuja, June 2, 2024(NAN) The leadership of the National Assembly and Organised Labour made up of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC), are currently in a crucial meeting ostensibly to forestall a nationwide strike on Monday.

    Also in attendance are some ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “We are discussing issues related to the minimum wage and the proposed industrial action by labour,” a top source at the meeting told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), craving anonymity.

    NAN reports that the meeting, conveyed at the instance of the NASS leadership, is in connection with the proposed industrial action by labour unions over the yet-to-be approved minimum wage for workers.

    Present at the meeting are the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, and other principal officers of both Chambers.

    Others from the executive side are the Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume, Ministers of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Finance, Wale Edun and Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

    Also in the hall are budget and national planning minister, Atiku Bagudu, science and technology minister, Uche Nnaji, agriculture and food security minister, Aliyu Abdullahi, and Head of Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan.

    Akpabio, in his remarks at the meeting, said that it was at the instance of the National Assembly leadership, following the proposed indefinite strike by the organised labour.

    He said that the National Assembly was not taking over the responsibility of the executive and the labour unions.

    “The meeting was called to hear the position of both parties on the minimum wage issue.

    “The National Assembly is on the part of the people and the government; what affects the people also affects the lawmakers.

    “The Nigerian government is keen on providing a living wage for its workers which is why it constituted a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage .

    “There is need to be mindful of collateral damage that may result from the wage to be reached at; we must avoid a situation where workers will be retrenched on account of employers inability to pay the new wage,” said.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, corroborated Akpabio, saying that NASS was on the side of the people and government.

    He thanked the ministers and the labour leaders for honouring the meeting, saying that their presence was a testament of labour and government’s commitment toward ensuring a lasting solution to the issue of minimum wage.

    President of NLC, Joe Ajero, in his remarks, said that what the NLC was demanding for all Nigerians was a living wage and not a starvation wage.

    He said the workers were the brothers and sisters of the lawmakers and the ministers and needed to work for Nigerians.

    President of TUC, Festus Osifol, said that the current situation in the country was difficult for Nigerians, especially in the last one year.

    This, he said, has also resulted in the difficulty in negotiating a new minimum wage for workers.

    He said Nigerians were waiting for the new wage to meet their basic needs of life “and not to build house or buy a cars”.(NAN).www nanbews.ng

    KC/ETS

    ====≈==

  • Strike: WAEC appeals to NLC, TUC to consider candidates

    Strike

    By Chinyere Nwachukwu
    Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appealed to the organised  labour to consider  students  sitting for  West African  Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, as it plans an indefinite strike.
    The Head of National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
    He said that the council shared in the concerns of the organised labour and those of the entire Nigerian workers.
    According to him, most of WAEC’s employees in Nigeria are  members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) or Trade Union Congress (TUC), both of which called for the strike scheduled to start on Monday.
    “The attention of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has been drawn to a notice of the commencement  of an indefinite strike by NLC and TUC effective Monday, June 3.
    “WAEC shares in the concerns of the generality of Nigerian workers, as most of its employees in Nigeria consist of members of both unions.
    “It is also worthy of mention that the unions have always been partners with WAEC in the successful implementation of its mandate through the years.
    “On this premise, therefore, we wish to, however, gently remind the unions  of the ongoing conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)  for School Candidates, 2024.
    “The examination commenced in Nigeria and other member-countries of WAEC,  The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone, on April 30, and is scheduled to end by June 24.
    “The  week, June 3 to June 7, is scheduled for the conduct of such papers as Physics, Economics, Government and Civic Education across the federation and some West African countries,” the WAEC boss said.
    According to him, any  disruption in the activities  and arrangements for the conduct of the examination will place candidates at a major disadvantage in their academic pursuits.
    “We hereby appeal to all stakeholders and the unions  to cooperate with the council, as always, to allow the continuous smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination as has been scheduled.
    “We remain committed to excellence and the service of the Nigerian people within the mandate of the council,” he said. (NAN)
    CCN/IGO
    ========

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • I inherited 80% infrastructural deficit from last administration – Gov. Adeleke

    I inherited 80% infrastructural deficit – Gov. Adeleke
    ODA
    By Adekunle Williams
    Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State said he inherited more than 80 per cent infrastructural deficit from the immediate past administration  of the state.
    Adeleke disclosed this at a programme organised by the Osun Development Association in Lagos on Sunday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme was,  ‘A celebration of Founding Members, Inauguration of Council of Elders, Induction of New Members and Thought Leadership’.
    Adeleke ,represented by Chief Lai Orilowo, Group Managing Director ,Odua Investment Company Limited ,said that he worked assiduously to  solve the problem, adding  that the positive results were there for all to see.
    He noted that almost all the projects not completed  by his predecessor had been completed.
    Adeleke said he had also ended the regime of  “half salary” for  workers ,noting  that workers and pensioners were being paid as and when due.
    He said: “We are paying back the diverted contributory pensions of our senior citizens.
    “Our pensioners are registered for a health insurance scheme with the state paying the bills.
    “We have  reformed  the public service and  have ensured regular payment of salaries and promotion arrears.
    “In Osun, there is a nexus between the formal and informal workforce.So, taking care of public servants boosts, enlivens and strengthens the informal workforce in the state.”he said.
    The governor said the completion of all inherited projects was in line with the commitment of the present administration to ensure accelerated development of the state.
    “We live it and act it. I retained all contractors inherited from my predecessor; none of those contracts were terminated. No contractor was fired. My only insistence was that they must deliver on what they signed with the state.
    “I am also completing most abandoned projects inherited from my predecessor. The Ikirun-Osogbo dualisation is completed and I am going to complete the road up to the border with Kwara .
    “The Osogbo Ring Road is being completed ,while the Osogbo-Iwo road is ongoing. ”he said.
    Adeleke said the state government’s focus on  infrastructural development was based on the fact that development would be difficult with poor infrastructure.
    Adeleke solicited the support of  groups like the Osun Development Association on growing  the state’s digital economy, education, health and agriculture.
    The chairman of the occasion,the  Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi commended  the association for pursuing efforts aimed at promoting the  development of the state.
    Ogunwusi, who is the special guest of the occasion, urged the association to continue urge its members to use their  wealth of experience to promote the development of the state.
    In his welcome of address, the Chairman of the association, Dr Segun Aina, said the  association had  made several interventions promote the  peace and development pf the state
    He said the association had inaugurated a  15 -member council of elders to give the association the needed advisory support and ideas for the  development of the association and the state.(NAN)
    WAC/BHB
    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

  • Assembly Rerun: Enugu LP candidate wants new INEC team to conduct election

     

    Rerun

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu, June 2, 2024 (NAN) Mr Bright Ngene of the Labour Party (LP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to send a new team to conduct the June 8 rerun election for the Enugu South Urban Constituency.

    Ngene, who was the LP candidate in the 2023 General Election said he had lost confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Mr Chukwuemeka Chukwu and Enugu South Electoral Officer, Mr Francis Chigbu, in conducting the rerun.

    The LP candidate made the call in a press conference held on Sunday in Enugu.

    Narrating his ordeal, Ngene said that INEC declared him winner of the March 28, 2023 House of Assembly election for Enugu South Urban Constituency after scoring 5,862 votes while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 2,098 votes.

    “Consequently, I was inducted into the 8th Assembly of Enugu State with certificate of return issued to me by INEC.

    “So I consider this press conference an opportunity to inform the good people of Enugu State and Enugu South Urban Constituency in particular of what is happening around me and to the mandate they overwhelmingly gave to me.

    “However, the PDP candidate, Sam Ngene, went to court challenging the victory, and praying the court to declare the election inconclusive, and order for a re- run.

    “His contention was based on the ground that there was violence in the eight polling units situated at Ward 5, Uwani and Robinson Primary School that had 4,257 registered votes,” he said.

    Ngene said the court found favour in argument of the PDP candidate that there was need to conduct a re-run election in the said eight polling boots which INEC scheduled the first re-run election on Feb. 3, 2024.

    “On the said date the election could not hold because the original result sheet mysteriously and suddenly got missing under the watch of Enugu REC and Electoral Officer who could not give account of what happened to the original result sheets.

    “Consequently, INEC re-scheduled the second re-run election on Feb. 14, 2024 but the election could not hold because PDP interrupted the election alleging that the original result sheet provided by INEC was fake.

    “Furthermore, thugs started destroying INEC cubicles and other sensitive materials,” he said.

    He regretted that INEC for reasons best known to them deliberately refused to investigate who in particular disrupted the election and refused to call for evidence even when it was brought to their notice.

    He expressed disappointment that in spite of the alleged disruption of the election and also captured all over our social media, none of them had been apprehended or prosecuted till the time of this press conference.

    “My utmost concern of this proposed 3rd time re- run election is that INEC is intending to allow or use the same Chukwu and Chigbu to conduct the election.

    “While up till today no account has been given by the duo or INEC on what actually happened to the said original result sheet,” Ngene lamented.

    According to him, I have lost confidence and trust in the integrity ofthe REC to conduct a credible, free and fair election.

    “I equally wish to let the world know that it is now over nine months that Enugu South Urban Constituency seat has remained vacant and unrepresented at the Enugu State House of the Assembly.

    “I therefore, passionately and humbly request the media, Non Governmental Organisations, Civil Society Organisations, Election monitors, European Unions, and Other International Organisations to be on ground to supervise and monitor the election,” he appealed.

    Reacting, the PDP candidate, Sam Ngene, denied the allegation of leading thugs to disrupt second rerun, challenging him to show the world the picture and video evidence.

    He said, “I am working hard to prepare for my election on Saturday and what he is doing is laying blame and trying to preempt the election, which he needed to prove it.

    “INEC conducted the election the first time that favoured him and he was in the House of Assembly for six months. He shouldn’t come out now to condemn the umpire that made him win first election.

    “The said area for the rerun is my ward and stronghold where I had been a Councillor and also made me go for first term in 7th State Assembly.

    “I have enough influence because of things I put on ground which has been fear,” he said.

    All effort to reach Enugu REC proved abortive as he neither answered his phone calls nor return the text messages sent to him. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • Nasarawa lawmaker’s wife empowers 800 indigent women with N2m

  • Clergy seeks measures to reduce hardship of Nigerians

     

    Clergy seeks measures to reduce hardship of Nigerians

    Hardship

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    Mokwa (Niger) June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Bishop of Anglican Communion, Kutigi Diocese in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger, RT. Rev Jeremiah Ndana-Kolo, has called for more measures to reduce the current hardship faced by Nigerians.

    The Bishop stated this at the end of this year’s three-day Synod held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Mokwa in Niger on Sunday.

    ”Nigerians can no longer afford the prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities in the markets,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Administrator of the Diocese, Rev. Solomon Gana, expressed gratitude for God’s mercies that kept them together to another session of the 2024 Synod,

    In his sermon on Friday, the first day of the Synod, the administrator admonished Christians to imbibe the historical background of Christianity.

    In his goodwill message, the Bishop of Bida Diocese, Jonah Kolo, commended the Bishop of Kutigi for making this year’s Synod successful a historic  moment as part of activities to enhance the work of God.

    The communique issued at the end of the first session of the fifth Synod signed by Bishop Jeremiah Ndana-Kolo, reiterated the need for the government to redouble efforts to urgently combat insecurity.

    He listed the crimes to include banditry and kidnappings.

    The  Synod asked Christians to be content with whatever they have, Love God with all their hearts and strength and to as well love their neighbours as themselves in spite of the economic hardship.

    The communique also urged the government to be more proactive in curtailing all forms of insecurity.

    It commended Gov. Umar Bago for his exceptional attention to youth employment, agriculture and infrastructural development across the state.

    It also extolled the efforts he is putting in place to curtail insecurity particularly youth restiveness.

    It, however, urged the Christians faithful to double their efforts in spreading the gospel to inculcate the habit of Godliness in the human race.

    The Synod added that Christians were not only to confess their faith but to put it to practice no matter the life challenges.

    The theme of this year’s synod was: “Confession of Faith and its Confirmation”.

    It also witnessed the widows’ end of the year thanksgiving and awards to some distinguished personalities.

    Those honored included Mr James Bake-Tetengi, recently appointed a Permanent Secretary, and Princess Rachel Yisa, who was recently given a political appointment by the Niger Government.

    Also honoured were six eminent personalities who celebrated their 70 years, and who have contributed immensely to the growth of Christianity in the Diocese.

    Twenty eight House of Clergy and 37 House of Laity graced the 3-day annual event held at the St John’s Anglican Church, Mokwa.(NAN)(www.nannewsngr.com)

    BAB/BRM

    ============

    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

     

  • Electricity: GenCos urge govt, stakeholders to pay debts

    Debts
    By Constance Athekame
    Abuja, June 2, 2024 (NAN) The Power Generation Companies (GenCos), have appealed to the Federal Government and key stakeholders to settle electricity debts owned them for electricity generation to enable them remain in business.
    Retired Col. Sani Bello, the Board Chairman, Power Generation Companies said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
    Bello said: ”GenCos are constrained to issue this release to draw the attention of the Federal Government and key stakeholders to the need to urgently address the issue of inadequate payment for electricity generated by them.
    ”And consumed on the national grid, which is currently threatening
    the continued operation of their power generation plants.
    ”GenCos are currently owed more than two trillion naira for power they generated, put unto the national grid, and consumed by end users.
    ”This is in addition to the more than 1.7 trillion naira funding gap created in the recent supplementary Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2024 without a designated fund to fill the gap,” he said.
    According to him, this huge debt is now greatly inhibiting GenCos ability to meet their obligations to enders, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) spare parts procurements, and employee related obligation.
    ”In the light of the severity of the issues highlighted above, the GenCos are
    requesting that immediate and expedited action is taken to prevent national
    security challenges.
     ”That may result from the failure of the GenCos to sustain steady generation of electricity of Nigerians,” he said.
    Bello said that GenCos liquidity challenges was further worsened by the various policies introduced such as the payment waterfall in the  Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), which deprioritises payment to them.
    ”The implication of this, is that GenCos only get paid a portion of their invoices of nine or 11 per cent from whatever amount is left.
    ”This is an aberration as it is a clear departure from existing terms of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
    guiding the contractual relationship between GenCos and the Nigeria Buk Electricity Trading (NBET).
     ”Which NBET as buyer has contracted to purchase the available capacity as agreed under the PPA.
    Bello said that the  GenCos expectations of being settled through external support such as the World Bank Poverty Reduction Supports Operation (PSRO) had also been dampened.
    He said that this was due to other market participants’ inability to meet their respective distribution inked indicators (DLIs), enshrined in the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP).
    He said that access to forex was another problem given that major operation and maintenance needs in the generation subsector were dollarised.
    According to him, the importance of a specialised window or stable dollar allocation for GenCos cannot be over emphasised.
    ”GenCos are of the position that there is need for a coordinated approach by all
    stakeholders in the NESi to address the liquidity issue realistically and sustainably in the power sector.
    ”So that Nigerians can have access to reliable electricity supply,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    COA/EEE
    ========
    Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

  • Why divorce should not be liberalised – lawyer

     

     

    Why divorce should not be liberalised – lawyer

     

    Divorce

    By Ngozi Njoku

    Lagos, June 2, 2024 (NAN) A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Kehinde Nubi, says granting divorce  in marriages that can still be saved is not in the interest of the society.

    Nubi, Principal Partner at Kehinde Nubi and Associates, said in Lagos on Sunday that marriage remained one of the strongest institutions of  the society and should be handled with seriousness. 

    He spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He reacted to  a speculation that prolonged divorce proceedings can frustrate estranged spouses and make one to kill the other.

    According to him, if divorce is liberalised,  many couples might not bother to work on their marriages.

    “This is like undermining the foundation of the society, and I am not in accord with that.

    “The society needs to err on the side of caution by ensuring that only marriages that have broken down irretrievably would be dissolved,” the lawyer said.

    He said that it was important to give room for reconciliation of estranged spouses.

    According to Nubi,  Section 30(1) of the Matrimonial Causes Act provides that proceedings for a decree of dissolution of marriage shall not be instituted within two years of the marriage, except by leave of the court.

    “This is to ensure that it is only marriages which have really broken down irretrievably that get to the courts for dissolution.

    “Once proceedings start, in less than a year, one can get a divorce especially where both parties decide not to go the contentious divorce route.

    “I do not agree that it is the length of time it takes to get divorce that is responsible for  couples killing themselves in difficult marriages.

    “I think couples that end up killing themselves because their marriages have broken down are not likely to be those in court because those ones have expectations that the marriage will soon be over.

    “It is most likely those who feel trapped and frustrated in the marriage that can consider such evil thoughts,” Nubi said.

    Another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Alozie Nwoke, also said that prolonged divorce proceedings  did  not provide room for a spouse  to the other.

    He told NAN  that a spouse killing  the other was not a common feature in divorce proceedings.

     

    “Before the matter gets to court, the parties would have lived apart from each other for at least two years.

    “This way, there is limited contact by the parties,” Nwoke, of the  Alozie Nwoke & Co. Legal Practitioners, Ikeja, said. 

    He said, however,  that the parties might get frustrated in the event of delay in the divorce proceedings.

    “Lawyers take time to ensure that factors that lead to delays are dealt with so as to limit fraistration in divorce matters but killing each other out of frustration is not a common feature and may only occur in extreme situations,” he said.

     

    The lawyer said that delay in disposing of cases in Nigerian courts was not peculiar to divorce suits.

    “Be that as it may, divorce proceedings are not always  long, but there are some common causes of delays during divorce proceedings.

    “Divorce entails parties reaching agreements on the terms of the divorce. Where this is not in place, there will likely be delays in the  matter.

    “Agreements ought to be  reached by spouses on crucial issues such as  custody of children, child support and spousal support, property ownership and asset division,” Nwoke said.   

    According to him, contested divorces tend to take longer to resolve than uncontested ones.

    “Parties in a divorce suit can agree on the terms of their divorce, and in this case, their matter will be uncontested; otherwise, the matter will be contested, and that may lead to a delayed and lengthy court process.

    “There are many contentious areas in a divorce proceedings that can lead to delays and therefore frustrate parties  from getting through the legal process quickly.

    “Unresolved disputes over the terms of a divorce will also extend settlement efforts; so, if a divorce suit is a complex one, it is likely to go on for a longer time than expected.

     

    “Where a  spouse refuses to co-operate by failing to provide required documentation and/or  refuses to attend the divorce proceedings or hearing in court,  it will delay prosecution of the matter,” he said.

    Nwoke added that where one party still had hope of  reconciliation, it could cause  delay in divorce proceedings.

    “Even when a marriage is said to  be broken irretrievably, one party to the proceedings may still feel as though the marriage can be repaired.

    “Delay will be  obviously unavoidable in this situation.

    “Divorce is sometimes a long and drawn out process when there are issues such as  refusal to  cooperate, assets to be divided and child-related issues,” he said.

    He told NAN that a divorce suit could linger if one of the parties refused not consent to the divorce, adding that long court adjournments could delay disposal of a divorce suit. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    NG/IGO 

    ========

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola