OWERR/Nigeria: Speaker, Imo Assembly, Mr Kennedy Ibeh, says ‘Lover’s Day’ celebration is a season for youths to eschew all form of violence and embrace peace and love.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ifeanyi Onyekachi, on Sunday in Owerri, Ibeh felicitated with youths on the occasion of “Lover’s Day’’ coming up on Feb. 14.
He said the celebration; a commemoration of the death of St. Valentine, a 3rd Century saint who paid the supreme price in defence of love was an occasion to emulate St. Valentine.
He noted that St. Valentine, in spite of all odds, ensured that love was properly consummated in marriage among young people who loved themselves, a selfless act that cost him his life.
“Rising insecurity and other anti-social vices, like kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, get-rich-quick syndrome, which have become the order of the day, negate the spirit of love celebrated every Feb. 14.
“While basking in the euphoria of the celebration, Imo youths should not lose sight of the lessons inherent in the occasion,’’ Onyekachi quoted Ibeh as saying.
Ibeh decried the gradual erosion of moral values and called on youths to regard the season as one in which to entrench love in their hearts and families and in the whole of Imo.
He called on all residents to join hands with Gov. Hope Uzodinma to recreate Imo and make it an enviable state among those where peace and love flew endlessly.
“l advise you to regard the act of St. Valentine as a true reflection of the Igbo spirit of love, unity, entrepreneurship and resourcefulness,’’ the speaker was also quoted as saying.
