As the World celebrates Valentine’s day Nigerians have expressed their opinions on the essence of the celebration.
A priest who preferred to remain anonymous said everyone must try to understand who was St. Valentine and the true meaning of the day’s celebration.
He explained that “Fr. Valentine was a Catholic Priest in Rome under the rule of Claudius the Cruel Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.
“To get rid of the problem Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Fr. Valentine realizing the injustice of the decree defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
“When Fr. Valentine’s actions were discovered Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Fr. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14 on or about the year 270.”
He expressed some reservations saying “unfortunately today the whole world has turned the real essence of the Feast of St. Valentine to an immoral acts.
“Love is the real essence of life. Christ Jesus gave up Himself on the Cross for the love of humanity. Saint Valentine a Catholic Priest who devoted his entire life to the love and service of God and humanity.“
He advised that in celebrating during the pandemic St Valentine whose memory is associated with sacrificial love should be honoured knowing that God is love and anything about love is healthy and adorable.
“So it’s just to wish our loved ones everything good lovely adorable and fulfilling! Only the living can love and be loved and a missed opportunity to love and be loved can’t be recovered for there is no loving in arrears.
“It is my fervent prayer that God through the intercession of St. Valentine help us rediscover the true meaning of this day. Amen!” he said.
Mr. Iorhen Saater a civil servant said Valentine’s day is a day of love. “It is a day to show love to one another. With the COVID-19 pandemic I think people should stay in their homes with their loved ones; your wife children neighbours and celebrate with them.
“It is not safe to go out there in a large gathering for now. People should celebrate indoors. Safety first before pleasure” he said.
Hembadoon Hir said Valentines also called St. Valentine’s day is an annual event to celebrate romantic love friendship and admiration for loved ones. So every year on this day people exchange gifts messages with friends families and partners to express their love.
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She recalled that people usually go out for picnics and organize outings with friends and expressed regret that it cannot be the case this year as a result of the COVID-19.
Hembadoon a student urged people to stay at home and celebrate with their loved ones. “For those you can’t visit send them messages gifts and also make out time to visit and share with the less privileged among us. It is very important” she added.
David Memga a student said: “Valentine’s Day simply signifies a day where people celebrate their lives ones. People celebrate love in different ways it all depends on the individuals. You can exchange gifts with your loved ones without being together you can call or send text. But with the COVID-19 pandemic those who want to go out to celebrate should ensure they adhere to the preventive and safety measures by wearing face masks washing hands using sanitizer and social distancing.
In his response Terfa Wuese said “as a Catholic we were taught that St. Valentine’s day is a day celebrated as a feast day in remembrance of what St. Valentine did to show love. To celebrate a day like this we should show love to our people especially by giving to the needy in the society. We know who the needy and less privileged are and where to find them.
“For those who want to go and and relax we have to be very cautious in celebrating because of the pandemic. Already it is outlawed to gather in large number in the name of celebration. So it is better to celebrate at low key visit orphanages and less privileged homes and drop your gifts while observing COVID-19 protocols instead of holding hands and partying” he said.
A teacher Susan Gur said “Valentine‘s day to her is a day set aside to show love and care for our loved ones by sharing gifts and praying for them.
“Not like we have not been giving gifts or praying for our loved ones but on this day it is a reminder that someone died in the cause of caring for others. So we celebrate that man on this day.
“So in celebrating this day we should give God thanks share gifts no matter how small and give alms to the needy” Susan said.
Chief Ode Enyi a politician: “Val’s day means giving without expectations of reward. Celebration today means giving. My first celebration today was giving a family a ride to their church. The church was off my destination but I took them there anyway. Anyhow I can share love and happiness is celebrating Valentine.
“My idea of celebrating Valentine is not the popular one of pleasuring. Mine is share happiness and bring smiles to faces of people” he said.
For Barr. Joseph Gbagyo said: “Looking at the life of St. Valentine and what he stood for in terms of upholding the values and sanctity of marriage which is anchored on the pillar of love. One can say that his feast tells us clearly the kind of world we are living in today where a lot of matrimonial virtues most especially love is lost in place of materialism and amorous satisfaction.
“His feast to me is renewal of our consciousness towards the whole essence of existence that should be based on love beyond other things. His death was and still is a victory for the marriage institution.”
A teacher Mr. Johnson Akahi said Valentine’s day is “a day set aside globally to celebrate the spirit of love as demonstrated some years ago by St. Valentine who despite every opposition stood for someone he loved dearly.
“Celebrating Valentine’s day during COVID-19 is really challenging. First is the fact that judging from the economic hardship orchestrated by the pandemic many lovers may not be able to exchange gifts as it used to be in time past.
“Another challenge is the communicable nature of the pandemic which has much to deal with physical contacts. It therefore means that most of the niceties that normally characterized Valentine’s day in previous years are going to be at the lower level today due to the global monster called COVID-19.
“While going out for celebration maintenance of social distance is very important. This can be done by possibly making our personal room or parlour as the right place to wine and dine without visiting parks as usual.”
Franklyn Akujo a business man said “It is a special day to show and share our love in a special way with the ones we love.“
He however advised that people should find a way to reach out to their loved ones without necessarily being in a crowded place saying “with or without COVID-19 we should show some love.”
