The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, has urged families to encourage their children entering marriage to formalize their unions under both customary and civil laws. This, he emphasized, is crucial in safeguarding women from the discriminatory provisions of certain customary laws in Nigeria. Prof Asagba made this call in Abraka on Thursday as part of his remarks at the university’s 110th Inaugural Lecture titled “The Nigerian Woman under Customary Law Marriages: Free or Fettered?” which was delivered by Prof Omerionwan Kingsley Edu, a distinguished Professor of Law.
The Vice Chancellor pointed out that the common belief is that customary law marriages promote social cohesion and cultural preservation however, this lecture has revealed that it also contains certain anti-feminine provisions, including clauses that support the forced marriage of widows to their late husbands’ male relatives, the denial of women’s rights within marriage, restrictions on inheritance from deceased husbands, and instances of sexual harassment. He expressed optimism that these defects in customary laws identified by the inaugural lecturer can be addressed if families insist that marriages be conducted under both customary and civil laws.
Speaking on the topic of the inaugural lecture, Prof Edu highlighted the benefits of marriage to include serving as the root of the family unit, ensuring the continuity of the human race and conferring lifelong relationships on married partners. He pointed out that marriages conducted under customary laws are very common in Nigeria. According to the Professor of Law, most women in Nigeria prefer to marry under customary law, as it holds significant prominence and widespread acceptance among the majority of the population. He however presented case studies where marriages under customary laws had been unfavourable, biased and degrading to women. Prof Edu emphasized that judicial interpretations of laws protecting women highlight an urgent need to reform and modernize customary marriage and inheritance laws to ensure that women married under customary law receive equitable rights and protections.
Present at the lecture were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof (Mrs) Rosemary Okoh; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Ochuko Anomohanran; Provost of Oleh Campus, Prof Elo Ibagere; Registrar, Mrs Rufina Ufuoma Ufiofio, alongside other principal officers and the University Orator and Chairman of Ceremonials, Prof Enajite Eseoghene Ojaruega, who presented the citation on Prof O.K. Edu. The 110th Inaugural Lecture equally had in attendance the Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council and Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr Emmanuel E. Sideso JP, OON, Abe I. Other guests present were deans, directors of academic and non-academic units of the university, staff and students of the university, family members of the inaugural lecturer and invited guests.
DR. PATRICK IJEH,
DEPUTY DIRECTOR,
DIRECTORATE OF CEREMONIALS, INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS ,
