Bishop Charles Ighele, the General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission in Ikeja, Lagos, has called for a ban on Valentine’s Day celebrations in Nigeria. He believes that the celebration has lost its original meaning of love, kindness, and care for others. Instead, he argues, it has become centered on romantic relationships, which often promote immoral activities. According to him, this shift in focus is misleading and harmful, especially to young people.
He describes the modern celebration of Valentine’s Day as a deception from the devil. In his view, the day imposes a universal culture of immorality rather than true love. He particularly criticizes the association of Valentine’s Day with Cupid, whom he refers to as a romantic demon. To him, this symbolizes a distortion of real love and encourages sexual entertainment rather than genuine affection and compassion.
Bishop Ighele warns that the celebration has a negative influence on Nigerian youths. He believes that the pressure to engage in relationships and activities associated with Valentine’s Day leads many young people down the wrong path. Instead of promoting meaningful values, the day encourages materialism, unhealthy relationships, and a misunderstanding of love. This, he argues, is dangerous for the moral upbringing of the younger generation.
To address this issue, he calls on the Nigerian government to ban the celebration altogether. He urges authorities to take action against a culture that, in his opinion, is corrupting society. In addition to government intervention, he also encourages religious institutions, schools, and families to play a role in discouraging the celebration and instead focus on instilling positive moral values in young people.
His stance has sparked discussions among Nigerians, with opinions divided on the matter. While some agree with his concerns about the over-commercialization and moral impact of Valentine’s Day, others believe that the celebration can still be meaningful if approached with the right mindset. The debate raises broader questions about cultural influences and the role of religion in shaping societal norms.
