Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission in Ikeja, Lagos State, has called for a ban on Valentine’s Day celebrations in Nigeria, expressing concerns over the day’s association with sexual immorality among youths.
In an interview, Bishop Ighele argued that Valentine’s Day has deviated from its original intent of promoting aid to the needy and humanitarian works, instead becoming a day that encourages romantic relationships and illicit sexual activities. He described this shift as a deception, stating that the celebration now inspires sexual feelings and entertainment, further institutionalizing sex.
The cleric linked the day’s association to “Cupid,” a figure he referred to as a romantic demon, suggesting that this influence has led to the perversion of true love. He emphasized that the Bible describes God as love, and it is unlikely that God would want His type of love celebrated in this manner.
Bishop Ighele urged authorities to proscribe the celebration due to its negative influence on youths. He highlighted the responsibility of the government, churches, schools, and families to unite in promoting cultures of social redeeming values, suggesting that banning the celebration would help redeem people from moral destruction.
This call to action reflects ongoing concerns about the moral implications of Valentine’s Day celebrations in Nigeria and the perceived impact on the nation’s youth.
