NIGERIAN MARRIAGE ACT REVIEW (3)

Good day. How are you doing? I'll continue with my review of the Nigerian Marriage Act. If you'll like a copy of the Marriage Act I'm reviewing, you can search the Internet or send an email to thechristianwomenstories@gmail,com.
We'll review Sections 25 to 32 in this post. 

Section 25 discusses the entries to be made in marriage certificate. The relevant details are in Form E (First Schedule of the Act). Section 26 tells us who should sign the marriage certificate (the couple, officiating minister etc). A duplicate of the marriage certificate SHOULD be transmitted to transmitted to the registrar of marriages for the district in which the marriage takes place. If, for one reason or the other, your marriage certificate is missing, be aware that there should be a duplicate in the files of the registrar in the district where you got married.

Section 27 permits a couple to contract a marriage before a registrar. You still need 2 witnesses between 10am and 4pm. It also stipulates the WORDS that the registrar is supposed to say...Hmmm. Section 28 then repeats what Section 26 says except it's the Registrar, not the Minister, doing the formalities. Section 29 addresses marriages celebrated (under license) in places other than places of worship. Section 30 addresses registration of marriage certificates. 

Section 31 addresses correction of clerical errors in the marriage certificate. Section 32 gives various "evidences of marriage" - the marriage certificate, the copy filed with the registrar, the entry in the marriage register etc. So, please, if you've lost your marriage certificate, these options SHOULD be admissible in court or even in your visa application (right?).  

I'm only sharing highlights. I hope you do save a copy of the Marriage Act (see the files) to 1) verify my claims, 2) raise points of discussion and 3) make informed choices. Let me also state that I'm not a lawyer, so if you believe you should seek legal redress, please discuss with a lawyer before you institute legal proceedings. 

So, my people, on this World's Teacher's Day, who's cooking Jollof Rice for Teacher Hephzibah? Lol.