Lagos residents express views over women bearing maiden name after divorce

<p>A psychologist, Lilian Brendan, said that an individual’s psychological state might be affected by change of name.</p>, <span>Lagos residents express views over women bearing maiden name after divorce.</span>, <h2>Divorce is a legal affair that signals the end of a civil marriage. As a woman, will you go back to your maiden name and as a man will you allow your ex-wife retain your surname after a divorce?</h2>, <p>A cross section of Lagos residents on Saturday expressed divergent views with the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN).</p>, <p>Adenike Ajose, a caterer, told NAN that the culture of shame had made it difficult for most divorced women to revert to their maiden names.</p>, <p>“I think it’s the shame of divorce itself, the moment one goes back to one’s maiden name, you start getting calls from all and sundry and that can be exhausting and embarrassing.</p>, <p>“So, one may retain it in order not to recount the sad ordeal of one’s failure in marriage. As for me, I didn’t change it because of the National Identity Number (NIN), the process is excruciatingly painful.</p>, <p>“I had begun the process, but when I saw how long getting the name regularised will take, I can’t deal with the fact that I’d have to put my life on hold for that long, moreover we have two children together,” she said.</p>, <p>Nana Adeoti, a businesswoman , told NAN that she was ashamed to change her maiden name after her marriage of 16 years failed.</p>, <p>“I was so ashamed, I struggled with my identity for a long time. I recently changed it because I wanted my business to have the proper structure.</p>, <p>“A failed marriage is tough, when mine failed in 2016 after 16 years of marriage, I couldn’t come to terms with the fact that my life had changed forever. Should I remarry again, I will never change my name,’’ she said</p>, <p>A civil servant, Mayenne Duke, said that if she ever got divorced, the only reason she would retain her ex-husband’s name is if the family is prominent and will be beneficial for her children.</p>, <p>“My surname i