Entertainment
Individuals and corporate organisations unfold their plans for this year’s Valentine-Day celebration
| By Ishaya Ibrahim | Feb. 18, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
THE aroma of love is once again in the air. On Thursday, February 14, the world will commemorate St. Valentine’s Day. Just like other parts of the world, Nigerians are also anxiously waiting for the day of love. Amos Ojo, a civil servant, said that St. Valentine’s day means a lot to him because it is a great opportunity to express his feelings to his loved ones. Ojo has been a regular visitor to the less privileged homes on every St. Valentine’s Day where he donates gift items for the up-keep of those in need. To Ojo, the less privileged home is the best place to express love on St. Valentine’s day to enable the people there feel that someone cares.
To Ayodele Olorunfemi, who got married to his heart throb less than a year ago, the 2013 St. Valentine’s Day presents an opportunity for him to appreciate his wife with a wonderful gift. Olorunfemi said that he would have the best of time with his wife because this is the first St. Valentine’s Day both of them would be having together after their marriage. “My plan is to get back from work on time and spend enough time with her,” he said. To Peace, his wife, February 14, is the day for the expression of love. She believes that the expression of love should be an everyday affair not limited to St. Valentine’s Day.
Joyce Amos, a student, has been looking forward to St. Valentine’s Day with her loved ones. As usual, every St. Valentine’s Day, Amos visits the Lagos bar beach with loved ones. “In the last four years, I have always spent most of my time at the bar beach which has been great fun,” she said.
Apart from individuals preparing to mark valentine, companies and the hospitality industries have been advertising and enticing people to come patronise their special valentine products. A popular TV series “Nnenna and friends” have been advertising and urging youth and families to join them at the National Theater for a special entertainment programme.
Gift shops are also making brisk sales. One text message sent by EGOLE reads: “Cupid has drawn back his bow, direct his arrow straight to your lover’s heart with fantastic valentine packages on www.egoleshopping.com
Saint Valentine’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Valentine is observed on February 14, every year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although most countries do not declare it a work free day. St. Valentine’s Day began as a celebration of Christian saints named Valentinus. Saint Valentine was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and ministering to Christians. During his imprisonment, St. Valentine healed the daughter of Asterius, his jailer. Before his execution, St. Valentine wrote a letter titled “from your Valentine as a farewell to the lady he healed.
Saint Valentine’s Day has been made an official feast day in the Anglican Communion as well as in the Lutheran Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates Saint Valentine’s Day on July 6, and July 30, the former date in honor of the Roman presbyter, Saint Valentine, and the latter date in honor of Hieromartyr Valentine, the Bishop of Interamna.
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