Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), has declared that the writing of a Will can be said to be an act of cowardice.

Prof. Utuama, who spoke yesterday while declaring open a one-day legal seminar organised by Aequitas Chambers, Asaba, in conjunction with Asaba Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), stressed that a man should be bold enough to share his property among his people in his life time.

The deputy governor advocated proper upbringing of children as the best way of ensuring family cohesion rather than depending on the writing of Wills.

Utuama, who chaired the seminar that had as theme, ‘The Role of Wills in Property Succession and Family Cohesion’, argued that the writing of a Will has its advantages and disadvantages, stressing that so many Wills have later become subjects of litigation as a result of complaints and rejection by family members.

“Proper upbringing of children is the best way to ensure family cohesion rather than the writing of a Will. A Will may not necessarily guarantee the cohesion of the family. A Will can only reinforce it,” he argued.

The deputy governor emphasised that a Will, as a legal document, states who gets what or part of somebody’s property when such a person is no more but if a Will is not properly executed, it could lead to the disintegration, rather than the cohesion of the family.

While commending the organisers of the seminar, he noted that writing a Will and similar exercises afford legal practitioners opportunities of continuous education. He commended the efforts of Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, Head of Aequitas Chambers and NBA, Asaba Branch, for putting the seminar together.

In his welcome address Ohwovoriole noted that the seminar was designed for two groups of persons: the legal practitioners and persons with children, relatives, friends and societies. He hinted that it was arranged to refresh legal practitioners’ knowledge about Wills and Estate Planning. He commended Prof. Utuama for all his support and love towards him since his youth days.

Speaking at the occasion, the NBA Chairman, Asaba Branch, Oseyenim Chukwuma, said the knowledge acquired from the seminar would no doubt assist legal practitioners in the state in the course of doing their jobs.

•Photo shows Delta Deputy Governor Utuama.

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