LAGOS – Some Nigerians in Lagos on Wednesday identified deceit, poverty, lack of love, incompatibility and desperation as contributory factors to the high rate of divorce cases in the country.
Respondents said in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that many couples ventured into marriage without having concrete knowledge of what the institution was all about.
Monsignor Gabriel Osu, the Director of Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said Christianity does not approve divorce.
Osu said that divorce, which is the separation of a husband and a wife, was on the increase because many marriages were conceived in deceit.
“Simulation in marriage is a situation where one or either party goes through the process of exchange of marital vows knowing that they are not compatible; but because of societal pressure, marriage was contracted.
“When couples are courting they think that they are compatible but by the time they live together, they find out that they were not meant for each other.
“Couples and intending couples should go for proper counseling and courtship before marriage; they should have it at the back of their minds that they are not marrying a saint or an angel.
“They must understand themselves well and they should do everything possible to build a home together. They should respect and tolerate one another.
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“That is why the church insists on marriage counseling where you understand what marriage is all about.
“Lack of love can lead to divorce. Consent and love play a very vital role in marriage.
“ Marriage is not child’s play, it is not just to have children; there must be love involved between couples,” Osu said.
Mr Luckmon Abdulraheem, a Senior Lecturer at the Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), Yaba College of Technology, urged couples to understand what marriage is all about before embarking on it.
“Marriage is not for immature adults, but for those who have grown up and are ready and who understand what marriage is all about.
“It is a vocation; you answer willingly with the intention of fulfilling the obligation of that vocation.
“ When there is a bad foundation for a building, it collapses. When there are ulterior motives and other intentions other than love, the marriage will collapse.
“ But many people are using material condition as a way of sustaining marriage,” he said.
The spokesman, Association of African Traditional Religion of Nigeria, Chief Lekan Ajirotutu, said unfulfilled demands in marriage could lead to divorce.
“ When couples expect so much from each other and these cannot be met, it could lead to challenges and ultimately divorce.’’ he said.
Ajirotutu urged couples to be patient and show love to their spouses, saying marriage is about patience and living a life of commitment. (NAN)