Do you celebrate Valentine Day?

Also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, this day is observed on February 14 each year in many countries of the world including Nigeria. Popular historical accounts trace the origin of the celebration to the martyrdom of a saint called Valentine, and a date set aside from the middle ages for […]

Also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, this day is observed on February 14 each year in many countries of the world including Nigeria.
Popular historical accounts trace the origin of the celebration to the martyrdom of a saint called Valentine, and a date set aside from the middle ages for the celebration of love.
However, findings by Homefront reveal that while some people cherish and celebrate this day like other festive days, others neither believe in nor celebrate it.
“I don’t believe in or celebrate Valentine’s Day  for religious reasons,” said Mr Suleiman Eshiotsekhai, a father of three. “The celebration is not found anywhere in Islam. Infact, the way it is being celebrated  suggests haram (what is prohibited) in Islam. You see people drinking and young unmarried men and women having illicit relationships and other things that are against the teachings of Islam.”
He said he does not also believe it is set aside to celebrate or show love to others, “I believe one should care and express love to one’s spouse, children, other family members and the poor every day. When you set a particular day to give love, it invariably means it is less important to give that love on other days of the year.”
A young man, Lawrence Okonta, said he believes and also celebrates Valentine’s Day.  He said: “There is nothing wrong for couples spending time together and showering each other with gifts to mark the day or to reach out to the less privilege. It is also good for young men and women in love to celebrate their bond that day but they should remember not to go off limits and do what married people do.”
Mrs Chinyere  Unuegbu, a mother, said she does not attach much importance to the celebration of  Valentine’s Day. “It doesn’t matter to me whether I celebrate it or not. In fact, the most I can do is to cook a special meal for my family. Hopefully my teenage children in boarding school will be back on mid-term break and I’m sure they’ll ask for gifts and maybe a treat. I will try and make them happy, and that is all,” she said.
Gladys John, a young lady, said she believes in celebrating Valentine’s Day because it serves as a strong reminder to couples or people in love the importance of love and caring for one another and living up to their responsibilities.
Osaro Ojeme, another young man, said he does not see the need to celebrate Valentine’s Day as he buys gifts for his loved ones anytime, any day. He said he only joins in the celebration sometimes because other people around him are celebrating it.
He said: “I have never exactly celebrated Valentine’s Day except  if I am buying gifts or doing something for any of my loved ones and that day  happens to be Valentine’s Day.”
Martha Akoje, a student, said she believes in the celebration of  Valentine’s Day because it is the time for sharing love and gifts, saying if people observe it,  it will help put smiles on the faces of their loved ones.
Judith  Asung, another student,  said it is good to celebrate Valentine’s Day if the true essence or the purpose of the day is followed. “It is good to have a day in which you show love and give gifts to  widows, orphans, handicapped or the needy. But all these young people on campuses who lock themselves in the room  from morning till night, or partying, are not celebrating the day but abusing it.”
Musa  Abdullahi, said he neither believes  in nor celebrates for two reasons. Firstly, he wouldn’t celebrate a day that is not recognized in his religion or outside what his religion says and secondly he doesn’t have too much time to spend for love.
“They call it lovers day, because the man supposedly died while giving love to people but to me all those things being done in the name of showing love are frivolous. While it is okay for couples or families to set aside time or days to go out, spend time together and relax, it is still not plausible for a day to be set aside for everybody to do that.”
 Hauwa Gimba, a journalist, on her part said she believes in the celebration of Valentine’s Day because it  recognizes the importance of  love and sharing between people.