The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves - Victor HugoLove is a
The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves – Victor Hugo
Love is a very beautiful thing. When an oath of love is made between couples, especially the married ones, it is meant to last forever. And one of the ways couples strive to keep their marriages intact and keep the fire burning is when they regularly reaffirm their love for each other. But on Valentine’s day, many consciously try to make an extra effort to go all out with their love affirmation. With its attendant frenzy and adrenalin pumping activities, Ivory-NG.com sought the opinion of a few on how best to reaffirm love; to either set a day aside solely for it or make it a regular occurrence.
Are you anti or pro-Valentine?
I am anti-valentine because the whole concept of Valentine has been commercialized. It is an American thing that we have quickly latched on to. I want to show love everyday and not on one day alone.
What is the most romantic gesture you have ever given or received on Valentine’s day?
I once got flowers from my husband.
Do you subscribe to setting a day aside for love or making it a regular thing?
I am a liberal being. Just because I don’t buy the Valentine idea doesn’t mean I should stop others who do or are willingly to celebrate that day. I personally do not think too much of it. I only wish those who care about it should go about it in a decent way.
Yetunde pictured with husband, Steve Babaeko is a professional photographer who runs Camara studios.
Are you anti or pro-Valentine?
I am anti-valentine because I strongly believe in and advocate that everyday should be for love and shouldn’t be restricted to just one day. I am not cut out for all of the hullabaloo that characterizes February 14th. To me, it all smacks of hypocrisy.
What is the most romantic gesture you have ever given or received on Valentine’s day?
Taking my wife to a fancy restaurant for dinner and thereafter, we went clubbing
Do you subscribe to setting a day aside for love or making it a regular thing?
Since I am anti-valentine, I don’t think people should do anything overly special but on a regular basis to affirm their love for each other.
Sir Ken Okolugbo with his family is a businessman and a former Commissioner for Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission
Are you anti or pro-Valentine?
I am pro-valentine because I am a hopeless romantic. There is just something about that day that helps to reassure couples of their love for each other. That is what keeps us going. It is the excitement that women exhibit that makes the men also fall in line. This doesn’t however mean that love shouldn’t be expressed every day.
What is the most romantic gesture you have ever given or received on Valentine’s day?
One early valentine morning, my husband prepared breakfast for me and brought it to bed before he left for work. I consider it special given that my husband is not one to cook. And also because it had nothing to do with how much money was expended. It was the thought behind the gesture that bowled me over.
Do you subscribe to setting a day aside for love or making it a regular thing?
Well even though I am all for Valentine’s day, I also think that more people should express love to one another, not necessarily among couples but to those around us because there is so much frustration in this country and love expressions to fellow human beings will make a whole lot of difference.
Ndidi Obioha pictured with husband, Enny runs Enythyst ventures, a fashion clinic, bridal consultancy and event planning outfit.
Are you anti or pro-Valentine?
I am anti-valentine and very much so. I mean there is absolutely no basis for this thing called Valentine. There is so much hue and cry about it, I find it nauseating. I have been married for 20 years and I do not remember spending more than one proper Valentine with my wife.
What is the most romantic gesture you have ever given or received on Valentine’s day?
I spent a great part of my life in the United Kingdom and what I learnt from them, is that you send a card or a gift to someone you admire, anonymously. For the past 15 years, my wife always got me a cake, a card and cooked sumptuous dinner on Valentine’s day. Seeing that I wasn’t reciprocating, she stopped.
Do you subscribe to setting a day aside for love or making it a regular thing?
From my responses, it is obvious that I really do not care how it pans out.
Wale Osomo is a legal practitioner and former President, Lagos Country Club
Are you anti or pro-Valentine?
I am pro-valentine and my reason isn’t far-fetched. Just like there is a day set aside for Christmas and Easter, where everyone irrespective of their religion knowingly or unknowingly joins in the celebrations, I do not see any reason why a day should also not be set aside to celebrate love.
What is the most romantic gesture you have ever given or received on Valentine’s day?
I am a very simple and contented person however, in 2008, my husband blew me away when he took me on a trip to the island of Crete in Athens. The memory of that trip will forever remain indelible in my mind.
Do you subscribe to setting a day aside for love or making it a regular thing?
Naturally since I am pro-valentine, I would love for the tempo to be increased because love is the greatest gift of all.
Evelyn Okere an enzyme help therapist, is also a designer and the publisher of St Eve’s magazine
Are you anti or pro-Valentine?
I am on the fence. Even though I have nothing against those who are pro or anti- valentine, I still do not think love should be expressed on a particular day. I support hundred per cent anything that celebrates love, unfortunately, the concept of valentine has been abused. It should be a day that serves as a reminder to all mankind on the need to live and act in love towards one another and not necessarily to share love in an intimate way. It isn’t all about red colours, candle lit dinners and sexual relations, it should be about showing love to others in need.
What is the most romantic gesture you have ever given or received on Valentine’s day?
This was in America. My wife and I went out for dinner at a Japanese restaurant. My daughter who was with us gave me a card while my wife gave me an expensive perfume. What made it special was the intimacy we shared as a family at the dinner. That outing further served as a reminder for us to continually express love to one another as a family.
Do you subscribe to setting a day aside for love or making it a regular thing?
Like I said, love should be shown to all and sundry always
Otunba Mike Ajayi is the founding President, Forum of Nigerian Professionals in Ghana and Director General, Ghana-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He is currently the paramount ruler of Erinmo Kingdom, Erinmo-Ijesha, Osun State.
Are you anti or pro-Valentine?
I am pro-valentine because I believe it is good to celebrate love on a symbolic day even though you are expected to celebrate love throughout the year.
What is the most romantic gesture you have ever given or received on Valentine’s day?
My wife gave me a necklace with a cross pendant which I wear all the time because I consider it symbolic. On my own part, I gave her a huge sum of money in foreign currency, dollars to be precise.
Do you subscribe to setting a day aside for love or making it a regular thing?
I believe a day should be set aside for it. And I also think that we should show love to everyone irrespective of whether they are our significant other. There are two forces that propels man; love and fear. While love is of God, fear is of the devil. So the more love we show to people, the better for everyone and for the society we live in. Love doesn’t necessarily have to be sexual but agape love which makes everything beautiful.
Dr. Boluwasanmi Akin-Olugbade pictured with wife, Oladunni, is a solicitor and business man.
