OGUN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) –Lovers’ Day, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, has evolved significantly. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three separate saints called Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom suffered martyrdom, according to history.com.
According to one version, Valentine was a priest who presided over Rome in the third century. Emperor Claudius II forbade young men from getting married because he believed that unmarried men were better soldiers than those who had spouses and families. Valentine disobeyed Claudius and carried on performing covert marriages for young couples after seeing the injustice of the decision.
When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Others maintain that the actual namesake of the event was the bishop Saint Valentine of Terni. Claudius II also beheaded him outside of Rome. According to other legends, Valentine might have been executed for trying to assist Christians in escaping the brutal Roman jails where they were frequently raped and tormented. A tale claims that an imprisoned Valentine actually wrote the first “valentine” greeting to himself after falling in love with a young girl who may have been his jailor’s daughter and paying him a visit while he was confined. It is said that he wrote her a letter written “From your Valentine” before he passed away; this phrase is still in use today.
Nigerians are not left out of the celebration of Valentine’s Day which is observed annually every February 14. Many young people choose to “hang out” with loved ones, exchanging gifts and indulging in ‘sexcapades’. Old couples and friends are not left out, they likewise go out to have a nice time, perhaps candle-lit dinner, exchange gifts and renew marital vows, or friendship. Red is the colour of celebration today and you’re likely going to see many people dress with a touch of red to mark the day. For me, though St. Valentine’s Day is worthy of being celebrated; unfortunately, the whole essence has been forgotten and replaced with carnality.
Do we treat each other with love and kindness once more? These days, it is uncommon. Our society has fragmented and grown less caring for one another as a result of our rat race to amass wealth, even ill-gotten wealth, and to enjoy a luxury lifestyle. Political leaders don’t give a damn about people’ safety and well-being, even though it’s a must and is supported by our grundnorm’s Section 14(2)(b) of the constitution. The current generation of political figures takes great pleasure in enhancing their own personal status. Because of their pot belly, they ask us to tighten our belts while they loosen theirs. Our leaders wouldn’t take from us or loot and rob our commonwealth if they truly loved us. It was claimed that a former Federation accountant general had embezzled more than N100 billion.obviously that can’t be said to be an act of love.
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In order to meet the requirements of millions of vulnerable individuals as well as the impoverished and needy, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation—formerly known as the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development—was founded in August 2019. Regretfully, the ministry’s multibillion-naira budget managers choose to assist themselves above the defenseless Nigerians. The ministers and ministry coordinators embezzled and mismanaged billions of naira. A portion of the embezzled money has been recovered, thanks to the anti corruption organizations.
Nigeria earned 25 out of 180 on the most recent Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, placing it 145th out of 180 nations examined in 2023. I ask again: Is corruption a way to love and care for the poor? Nigeria ought to have been a developed nation on par with Europe and America if it weren’t for corruption.
God embrace the lovely soul of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, who passed away last week in a helicopter crash in the United States along with his wife and children. He reportedly moved into a multibillion dollar building on Queens Drive in Ikoyi, Lagos, according to rumors. The house is said to be worth N10 billion. Whoa! A man like that, living in such luxury while everyone around him is grinding into poverty? He passed away at 58 years old. Sadness! How I wish a large portion of the funds used to build the mansion were donated to worthy causes. Maybe he accomplished that without the publicity from the media when he was still living. This is a call to the wealthiest among us to help the underprivileged and needy more. More foundations like the MacArthur, Rockefeller.
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More charitable deeds are needed in the globe. Too much suffering and poverty surrounds us for a select few to enjoy stench-filled luxury. Every time I witness people flaunting themselves at parties and “spraying” money on the performers and celebrants, as is customary in our society, I wonder if there aren’t any impoverished people in the families and clans of these extremely wealthy, wasteful men that they could assist in rescuing from destitution
Churches, mosques, and shrines, among other places of religious worship, ought to reconsider their role and devote more time to charitable and social work. Now is not the time to start competing with other churches that members pay taxes to construct.
As believers grow pessimistic about Christianity as a whole, church attendance is declining. Tithes and offerings are highly valued in many churches. The church members are malnourished while the General Overseer lives in luxury. Church leaders would be wise to reconsider and allocate more funds to help the underprivileged inside their own congregations instead of purchasing private aircraft in the name of global evangelism. If religious centers construct top-notch schools and hospitals and provide both members and non-members with free or heavily discounted services, then nothing is wrong with it. That’s a more selfless and loving deed than accumulating excessive fortune for the convenience and comfort of religious worship center administrators.
To raise money for charity, a group of American musicians performed the song “We are the world” in April 1985. Lionel Richie, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, and Kenny Rogers sang the song’s opening stanza, which goes as follows:
“There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all”
Everyone, have a happy Valentine’s Day. Since “We are the World,” let’s demonstrate compassion and love today.