Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre, Sarah Omakwu, has ignited conversations online after advising married couples to make their spouses—not parents or siblings—their next of kin.
Delivering the message during a church service, the cleric stressed that marriage establishes a new family, making a husband or wife the first point of loyalty and responsibility. She cautioned against naming fathers, mothers or siblings as next of kin, arguing that they are more likely to prioritise their own immediate families in critical situations.
Omakwu urged both men and women to put their spouses first, insisting that doing so reflects the commitment and unity expected in marriage.
Her remarks quickly gained traction on social media, drawing both support and criticism. While many agreed that spouses should come first after marriage, others clarified that being listed as a next of kin does not automatically grant legal rights to inherit a person's estate unless backed by a valid will or legal documentation.