Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs says it has reconciled 402 couples out of the 2,017 family cases in 2022, while 1,858 couples have so far been estranged, as family sustenance should be pursued for their best interest and the society at large.

This was revealed at the 4th edition of Couples’ Forum with the theme" Worsening Economic Situation: A Threat to Family Stability and Survival", at the Women Development Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner in the Ministry, Mrs. Olufunmilayo 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.

 Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi, the Commissioner 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.

The Commissioner 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.

According to her, “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”.

In her welcome address, Mrs. Ogunremi, represented by the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. Toyin Akinola 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.

In his presentation, the resource person, a Retired Social Worker, Mr. Michael Olatunde, said, family solidity and survival are a product of a nation's stability and strengthen the economic status of a household.

 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.