Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission, Ikeja, Lagos State, has called for a ban on Valentine’s Day in Nigeria.
He made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, amid allegations of illicit sexual abuse associated with the day.
Ighele believes that the day has been misinterpreted to promote romantic relationships rather than aid to the needy and humanitarian causes.
He regarded it as the devil’s deception to impose a worldwide day of immorality on Earth.
According to him, many boys, girls, and married adults have bought into this illusion about love, which contradicts the biblical description of agape love.
“The day is associated with a romantic demon known as Cupid. This demon is one of the rulers of the darkness of this world as found in Ephesians 6, verses 11 and 12.
“Cupid is the Roman name for the Greek god of love known as Eros. The English word erotic has its root in Eros.
“The dictionary defines the word erotic as relating to or tending to arouse sexual desire or excitement.
“The celebration of the day inspires sexual feelings in people and spreads sexual entertainment in order to further institutionalize sex.”
The preacher further claimed that “Cupid” persuaded mankind to designate February 14 as a special day for individuals to do whatever they want with sex and the perversion of true love.
“The Bible tells us that ‘God is love,’ and it is very certain that God will not want His type of love celebrated this way,’’ he said.
Ighele thus advised authorities to prohibit the celebration of the day because of its negative impact on adolescents.
He stated that it was the responsibility of the government and other non-state actors, such as the church, schools, and families, to work together to build cultures of social redeeming principles.
He further stated that the restriction on the celebration will save people from devastation.
Valentine’s Day, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated on February 14 every year.
