From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State Ministry of Justice has enlightened the public on the importance of drafting a will to avoid unnecessary crisis in the family.
The ministry gave the enlightenment during a seminar titled ‘The Importance of Making a Will,’ with participants drawn from different ministries, agencies and parastatals in the state civil service to demystify the process of making a will, as well as its social and legal relevance.
Declaring the seminar open in Asaba, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN), represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Omamuzo Erebe stated that the reluctance of many Nigerians to prepare a will has been a longstanding issue, often leading to family disputes and hardship for the loved ones left behind, just as he urged the participants to take the training seriously, describing it as a step towards making informed and life changing decisions.
In a paper entitled ‘The Role of a Will in Properties Succession and Family Cohesion in Nigeria,’ the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Delta, Agbor, Professor Okubor Nwuchukwu explained the purpose of writing a will and the requirements for a valid will.
He stated that “a will must be viewed as essential in the Nigerian setting due to the intricacy of inheritance matters brought about by customary laws and the inherent injustice that usually occurs, and also security for women and children is ensured by creating a will which will eliminate claims that are based on customs and culture. Additionally, for a will to be valid, it must be put into writing.”
Also speaking, a legal resource person, Dr Lilian Nwabueze highlighted the importance of having a will such as ensuring that your wishes are followed regarding your estate and assets.
She emphasized that a will allows individuals to decide who inherits their properties and appoint an executor to manage their estate, adding that this proactive approach can prevent future disagreement among family members and streamline the process of distributing assets.
In her lecture, the Director of Probate in the State Judiciary, Mrs Joy Akinjobin highlighted the procedures required to obtain a letter of administration, letter of probate and death certificate, adding that both are legal documents that will enable one benefit from the estate of a deceased person.
