Economy
By Anthony Isibor
NIGERIA, in the last couple of weeks have gone through the worst economic hardships experienced in decades. The controversies around the fuel scarcity and the new Naira swap policy have so far disrupted businesses and how Nigerians live their lives.
The ‘Queue syndrome’ as it is called seems not to spare this year’s Valentine celebration.
Nigerians are happy people and they try to show it when they can. And Valentine celebration is one of those opportunities for Nigerians to slow down from their regular hustle and bustle of life and truly express love to their loved ones, however, the prospects of this year’s ‘Valentine Love’ look very dim.
This is because all indications from the events and happenings both around and on the social media on February 13, the eve of Valentine Day showed that the Valentine celebration may be low keyed.
In Lagos State, where Valentine Day is usually celebrated with visits to flower and gift shops, setting up of dates and reservations and the obvious display of flowers, especially roses arranged in beautiful containers and packages by flower shop owners, and a booming season for horticulture dealers. There is also the planning of perfectly rehearsed proposals by bachelors and the snail-like traffic that usually follows, but it does not look like these may be experienced this year.
However, Nigerians, who are never found wanting when it comes to global or local days of celebration, appear to be divided on this year’s Valentine celebrations. While some of them look forward to celebrating the day, others feel that the state of the nation does not allow for any such celebrations.
For instance, while Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries is urging Nigerians to ignore the 2023 Valentine celebration and focus on the coming elections, Style me Val, an editorial in the Vanguard of February 11, 2023 appears to be advising on the best outfit for the Feb.14 occasion.
Speaking about the coming Valentine Day celebration during the Sunday Service on February 5, Pastor Suleman urged Nigerians to shun the Feb. 14 celebration and focus on the upcoming February 25 election.
According to him, there is no Val this year because there is no money, there is no fuel and all our attention is on the election.
“We are entering a season now, by next week now, they say is Val, don’t stress yourself, don’t take anybody anywhere, there is no fuel, don’t buy anybody anything, there is no money, so let’s celeberate Valentine in fasting and prayer.
“We have election coming up, election is coming, let us fast, when somebody tells you that Val is coming, tell the person; get your PVC, election is coming up.
“All our attention this year is election, in Nigeria there is no Val this year, our focus is election, don’t distract us, we want to vote. Next year we will celebrate Val, this year is voting.” he said.
Also, Jude Oybika, a staff of the BEDC told Realnews that there is no need to celebrate this year’s Valentine. According to him, we should leave both the Valentine celebration and the election and focus on life.
“There is no cash anywhere. Let us focus on our lives so that after the election we can make plans A or B for anybody who eventually wins,” he said.
However, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, has urged Nigerians to use the Valentine Day to show love that can heal the world.
According to NAN report, Badejo made the call on Monday in Ibadan while delivering a message titled: “Be a Valentine so that Love May Heal the World’’.
The bishop described the Valentine’s Day as a time of showing love, celebrations, and compassion.
“St. Valentine to whom the Day is associated, lived a life of selflessness and sacrifice and love which goes beyond flowers, material gifts or kiss and sex,’’ he said.
However, Realnews observed that the usual preparations and displays of cards and some wares ahead of the Valentine Day are absent and some observers have blamed the development on the prevailing hardships caused by the harsh economic condition in the country and the ongoing new naira swop and fuel scarcity.
A.I
Tags: Apostle Johnson Suleman Jude Oybika Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo Naira swap policy
