February 14, occupied with the mysterious belief of love, lies and lost.
Many said it’s a day to mark and celebrate love, a day for lovers. Some said it is a day to express love and some people are of the opinion that it is simply a day to show the great impact of love in the world.
Without dispute to those schools of thoughts, life comes in different perspectives. The birth of this day truly marks the celebration of love but today’s Valentine celebration is not as it was purposed to be.
Starting from the threshold of love, every man is born and created from love. The book of Genesis proved this to us. God loves us and created us in his own image, giving us life and providing our needs. He also protects us against seen and unseen evil as the Alpha and the Omega.
But sadly, humans have, on their own accord, changed the meaning of the word "love" in their own understanding. Some people are of the view that love simply means a relationship between two lovers, some people equally interpreted it to mean sex. While to others, it is simply an affection and the understanding of two minds.
While it is understandable to have different perspective to what love is, it is equally important to know that the society shapes our believes and opinion of situations and issues, just like a scholar once said that the society we live in, determines the way we think, talk and live.
Love in today’s society has completely lost its true value as youths now have different interpretations to what Valentine is. They now use the opportunity of valentine celebration to engage in frivolities and sexual immoralities. Sex has now become what is being celebrated today in Valentine, whereas Valentine celebration is not meant to engage in illicit sexual relationship or meant to promote immorality in the society but to extend love to everyone, our families, friends, colleagues irrespective of who they are or how they are related or close to us.
And moreover, celebration of love ,most especially our loved ones should not be dedicated to a day but should be an everyday routine. Love is meant to be displayed and celebrated at all time not dedicated to a day.
With that said, it cannot be discarded that the narrative of lust being disguised as love in our society today is emphatic. Many forget their hopes, dreams and vision for the sake of the famed "four words", most especially the female gender. Some neglect going to school all in the name of love while Some experience pain and agony like that of Yaremi in lonely days.
Inasmuch as most want to celebrate Valentine, they should always remember that Valentine is not an avenue to destroy themselves by engaging in sexual activities but Valentine celebration is an avenue to extend and show love to everyone, so as to make the world a better place .
Adeyemo Taiwo is an ND2 student of the department of Mass Communication
