Ahead of the annual February 14 valentine celebration which has become a ritual of sort to many Nigerians, a visit to Malls and gift shops around Garki, Maitama, Gwarinpa, Wuse, Lugbe and Jabi, revealed that while cards of various sizes and shapes abound in the market, they are usually the last gift items to be bought or not bought at all.
Gifts such as human hair weave-ons, jewelleries, throw pillows, grooming kits, ties, cuff links, phones, makeup sets, clothes, dinners and romantic vacation getaways were described by residents as more practical gifts.
Cards, mostly in Valentine red, with heart shapes and lovely messages inscribed on them, were seen in abundance around the shops, while other gift items were fast leaving the shelves.
The prizes of the cards depended on the size and type; Printed cards go between N300 and N2,000, while handmade cards go from N3,500 โ N40,000.
Gift shops owners who spoke with newsmen said that unlike other gift items, Valentine cards are usually not sold out during the season and remain in stock all year round.
They added that it is customary to have cards for sale, however, in recent times; patronage has dropped as people now have numerous gift options.
Mrs. Sheila Ajayi, a shop owner at Wuse, said that she has stopped stocking up as much Valentine cards as she used to due to the drop in sales.
โI reduced the amount of cards I buy because people have reduced their demand for them.
โThey come to the shops to pick other gift items such as throw pillows, perfumes, neck ties and gift boxes.
โPeople hardly walk straight to the card section, most times it is a last minute decision or maybe kids who want to surprise their parents,โ Ajayi said.
James Chidi, who makes and sells handmade cards in Garki, said that he gets more orders for Christmas and birthdays than he gets for Valentine.
โPeople buy Valentine cards, but not as much as they used to. These days, they tell you that N5000 is too much to spend on paper.
โBut they order more birthday or Christmas cards during the season. This is because they want to give their bosses who they feel will appreciate that kind of gift more,โ Chidi said.
Respondents who spoke with journalists tressed that cards do not possess economic value to most people and it is a waste of time to get them.
They added that due to the present varieties of gift items available, it is not wise to spend a lot of money on cards.
A student, Gift Akidenor said that while she loves cards, they become tiring over time and look like dirt which will be disposed of with time.
โI would not mind getting a card but I won’t give it as much value as I would give more tangible gifts.
โIt is best to give something that will be fondly remembered or used than give cards. A romantic dinner beats a card anytime,โ she said.
Meanwhile, some residents of Lagos yesterday said celebrating Valentine’s Day on the same day that most Christians will start observing the 40-day Lenten season might cause some conflicts of interest.
They said this in separate interviews when informed that this year’s Valentine Day and Ash Wednesday both fall on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians are expected to receive Ash on their foreheads, fast by not eating foods and refrain from some social activities.
They are also expected to engage themselves in prayers and in charity works from Ash Wednesday till Holy Saturday when the season of Lenten will be over.
This was to make them, followers of Jesus Christ, to comply with what he did while on earth.
He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, suffered persecution, died on Good Friday, and rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.
In recent years and with the advent of eateries, youths always invite their spouses to eateries, cinemas and other recreational centres to celebrate the day.
A legal practitioner, Hillary Okongwu, said that the unusual timing of the two events would definitely not affect his celebration of love on February 14.
Okongwu said that while Valentine enjoins him to show love to the world, Ash Wednesday was to him, a gentle reminder of mortality.
He said that it was a reminder that he needed to keep his mind focused on the ultimate goal of making heaven.
An entrepreneur, Irebowale Ogebule, said that some Christians might not participate in the Ash Wednesday church activities because of their own Valentine programme.
Ogebule said that the fact that this year’s Season of Lent commences on that day means that a lot of people might prefer to ignore it and invest in their love life.
She said that most of the youths would rather hang out with their friends at the cinemas to watch romantic movies.
โI think developing the spirit mind is a personal decision. We don’t have to wait for Lent to do that.
โMost Pentecostal churches have their own season of fasting and personal intercession with God.
โIt is also important to know that the commemoration of Valentine Day has an impact on businesses which contributes to economic growth.
โValentine Day celebration can contribute and stimulate the economy of our immediate society. It can be very significant to the core capitalist.
โAs you know, no matter what you sell, you will still have people to patronise you on that day.
โPeople who run eateries, beer parlour, restaurants and clubs will make their sales that day because that is where many people will hangout.
โMeanwhile, we must not forget that because that same day is when most Christians will commencement this year’s Season of Lenten will reduce sales.
โFoods to be consumed by Christians will reduce and of course alcohol sales will practically be at zero level,” Ogebule said.
…10 fun places to be in Ilorin
Valentine’s Day means a lot of things to a lot of people. However, basically it is a romantic celebration of the ones we love, so it is pertinent to make the day memorable, which can only be influenced by choice of where to celebrate.
Therefore JOKE ADENIYI-JACKSON highlights fun places in Ilorin, Kwara State where you can have unforgettable Valentine’s Day celebration this year.
1. Viva Cinema: Viva Cinema located within mega shopping mall, Shoprite along Fate road is an ideal place for lovers to visit on Valentine’s Day. Love/romance themed movies are most likely to be enlisted for the day.
2. Shoprite: The mall is one of the best places to visit for Valentine’s Day celebration, where lovers can make choice from variety of gift items.
3.Romp place: The fast growing fun place for children located along Fate road is a place that the family can go to catch fun. The ambience of the environment creates the right atmosphere for fun.
4. Water View: Water View a lake in the elitist area of GRA, which brings closeness to nature, is a good place for lovers to have a relaxed and rejuvenating celebration. It is also a choice place for loved ones to have picnic.
5. Eateries: To create a unique and memorable Valentine’sย day celebration, people visit eateries for special delicacies and get together. There abound several of such places like Royals Fast Food, Chicken Republic, Sumptuous Tantalizer among others.
6. Bovina Hotels: The popular hotel situated along New Yidi road has outlined special package for Valentine’s Day, which fun seekers can enjoy.
7. Princess Luxury: The hotel situated at Pipeline road is a popular hangout, which lovers can visit for Valentine’s Day celebration. It provides a cozy environment, which can resonate love and romance.
8. Unilorin Zoo and Boat Resort: The Unilorin Zoo and Boat Resort provide a serene environment for lovers to enjoy the lovers’ day.ย It is also a right place for picnic and get together by loved ones.
9. Night clubs: These are places that lovers can unwind and let down their hair. There quite a number ofย nightclub that dots the high brow areas in Ilorin, among which are Sound Bar, Enigma, Bubbles, House 129.
10. Forest Inn: The famous hang out in GRA is also an ideal place to visit for Valentine’s Day night life as it provides the right environment for fun seekers.
