By Esther Patrick Enna
Marriage, Once a revered institution ordained by God and nurtured by couples to stand the test of time,is increasingly facing serious challenges, Rising cases of divorce are now sounding alarm bells with far reaching consequences not only for couples but also for households, extended families, and society at large.
For many, marriage is regarded as a lifelong commitment,a union that binds two different families together in love, for better or for worse.
But in recent times, that narrative appears to be changing, as hundreds of marriages collapse, leaving couples particularly women struggling with painful aftermath of separation.
Mrs Joyce Agidi and Jummai Hussaini, both physically challenged, recount that they entered marriage believing their disabilities would not pose a problem.instead ,they say it became a source of conflict, alleging that they suffered physical and sexual abuse,as well as infidelity from their spouses, circumstances that ultimately forced them to walk away from their marriages.
The women maintain that parents, religious leaders and guidance have critical roles to play in properly guiding intending couples on informed and compatible marital choices,in order to prevent avoidable regrets.
Another divorcee,Mrs Fatima Saidu who was married twice but exited both unions,attributed her decisiona to physical abuse and abandonment.
She urged parents to be more discerning about the character and background of the men their daughters marry,so they can build stable and peaceful homes.
Reacting to the rising cases of divorce,the Catholic Priest in-charge of Saint John’s Mission,Awe, Reverend Father Peter Ayaka and the Head of Department, Islamic Studies,College of Education, Akwanga, Mallam Aliyu Ahmad Abubakar, observed that many marriages are failing because they are no longer regarded as sacred institutions,but are sometimes built on deceit, materialism and financial motives.
The clerics called on government, religious and traditional leaders to establish counseling and therapy centres for couples, promote financial planning initiatives, strengthen community outreach and support groups for divorcees and struggling families to help restore stability and harmony in homes.
Edited by JOEY Anzaku
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