The Ogun State Government has organized Couples forum which is the 4th edition, aimed to celebrate reconciled estranged families which is to also pursue family sustenance for their best interest and the society at large.
Penpushing reports that the forum with the theme,’ Worsening Economic Situation: A Threat to Family Stability and Survival”, was held at the Women Development Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, the state capital.
The Commissioner of Ministry of Women Affairs Mrs. Olufunmilayo Efuwape disclosed at the event that the government has reconciled 402 couples out of the 2,017 family cases in 2022, noting that 1,858 couples have so far been estranged.
Penpushing further reports that Efuwape, noted that experience over the years showed that matrimonial discords were filled by different factors including economic instability, mistrust, and breach of marriage, among others.
The Commissioner represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi, stated that the Ministry was able to achieve smooth dispensation of family cases referred to it through different zones of the state, as four more social welfare facilities were created, with over 90 professional social workers recruited to enhance efficient service delivery.
Penpushing also reports that she said the forum was institutionalised as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, to reduce friction in dysfunctional homes whose cases were brought to the facilities, adding that the platform would not have achieved great success without litigation and other legitimate means.
‘The Ministry, more than ever, has involved herself in collaborative efforts within relevant critical stakeholders to enhance the well-being of children, women, people with special needs and the family to ensure a peaceful, economically viable and prosperous Ogun State”, Efuwape stated.
Penpushing reports that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry represented by the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. Toyin Akinola earlier in her welcome address described the theme of the forum as apt, noting that it presents a vision and action plan for couples to plan for the unforeseen and create new family values and practices.
The resource person, a retired social worker, Mr. Michael Olatunde, in his presentation said, family solidity and survival are a product of a nation’s stability and strengthen the economic status of a household.
Penpushing further reports that in their responses, the families of Mr. and Mrs. Ariyo Bolaji and Mr. and Mrs. Badmus Isiaq, appreciated the forum, which they described as timely, especially at this time when economic instability is affecting major homes and the society at large, promising that every lesson learned would not be swept under the carpet.
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