Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be about material things, whether in receiving or giving. Unfortunately, some who have this belief are about to have their expectations dashed as the economic situation takes its toll on Nigerians this year, UGBOJA FELIX OJONUGWA writes.
“Me? Nooo! I don’t have a Val this year o!”
This was Ugonna Ernest’s response when approached by LEADERSHIP Sunday about how eventful this year’s Valentine’s Day will be for him: “And neither do I wish to have one,” he added.
By this, Ernest is implying that there will be no Valentine’s Day outing with any loved one; neither would there be any form of shopping for gifts, which are usually exchanged by lovers on this day.
“I probably would have loved to but times are hard. One cannot even meet up with basic needs any longer. My employer hasn’t paid my salary for a few months now, so it is impossible to have a Val now.” Ernest said.
It is largely noted that men show big hearts on Valentine’s Day. A day they romantically make up for not-so-good times, to re-invigorate a fading love, or initiate a new one. On this day, as far as surprises are concerned, the possibilities are usually endless. But judging from the economic point of view, it seems this year, brings a clog in the way of many men.
“For me, I think it will just be like any normal day; I honestly don’t have any plans. I have a lover, but no plans,” Said Ayodeji Bamidele, whose reason is that times are hard.
Ugo Quix, a social worker said, “At Christmas, we are taught to remember the reason for the season. Well, the reason for this season is Saint Valentine of Rome and it is him I will celebrate this year; I’ll put up his picture on my DP (blackberry phone display picture); extol the many virtues that stood him out; and try to follow his example, not just for that day. Besides, Valentine doesn’t need pretty pearls or fancy chocolates and that is just fine by me.”
Quix’s thinking seems a bit sarcastic, but therein might lie the truth for all noble men seeking ways to tighten the noose on their financials this Valentine.
Contrary to what some may believe, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about men trying to be specially generous to women; some women also make it a deal to shower some love on their men too.
And that is the reason why Ani Rachael, mother of two, isn’t quite happy this year. She makes it a duty to take her entire family out for a treat every Valentine’s Day. “But this year would be low keyed”. She said. “I can’t afford such luxury this year, but we might just have a little get-together in the house, and then go for an evening walk afterwards.” She said.
The pulse about how the Valentine’s Day would pan out this year isn’t even any different on the Internet. Just like many who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday expressed, those on the social media are also not so keen on celebrating this day.
A twitter user with the handle @legit9ja tweeted: “Thank God this year’s Valentine is on a Sunday; I’m attending 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th church services, and then wait behind for house fellowship.”
The user seems to have devised a clear tactic to steer away from those who would be expecting some Val’s day juicy packages from him. Talk about being ahead of the game.
Some social media users can’t even hold back their resentment for the celebration itself. No one knows if such resentment is borne out of economic hardship, but it can be seen in their tweets and Facebook posts that they are not keen on celebrating Valentine’s Day.
A twitter user tweeted his resentment this way: “I don’t even like it; do I really need anyone to always remind me every year that I am alone?”
On Facebook, a user posted: “As if society is trying to tell me how and when I should show love to my partner; and I am always weighed down by that pressure. It is always sickening to me.”
It is not clear or easy to assume what has informed some of these reactions on social media, but it is very understandable that not so many in the country, would be eager to part with hard earned naira this Valentine.
Even the traders and some gift item sellers who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday didn’t express any serious excitement about how sales were doing.
In Wuse Market, Abuja, Ifeanyi Nkiru owns a gift shop that is over-flowing with all sorts of gift hampers and collectibles. Even the entrance of the shop is adorned with colourful flowers in their racks and painted brown wooden holders. Displayed on the left side of the shop entrance are all sorts of love cards and picture frames with very catchy love inscriptions on them. Inside, the shop has lots of other interesting stuff like cosmetics, perfume and sprays, a few dresses, men and women underwears, fancy things for kids and a whole lot more. But there were just a handful of people pricing those items in the shop.
“I was hoping that this Valentine would increase my sales, but it doesn’t seem so. Just a few customers compared to previous years. It’s just not good enough,” Nkiru said.
Quite a number of shop owners in the market admit to not selling enough, in spite of the fact that it is the season of love. Only a few of them claimed to have experienced a little boom. And one of those is Ope Joshua, who told LEADERSHIP Sunday that he has sold more female dresses this period.
For their love for fashion, most of the hair dressing salons visited within the market were overflowing with women trying to wear that ‘new Valentine’ look. It was quite a sight in one of the shops, where a couple of customers had to even stand while their hair is being made, because all the chairs have been occupied. One of them confirmed that it was indeed a Valentine’s Day hairdo, and that the place was her favourite salon in the city.
From LEADERSHIP Sunday checks, there are quite a number of events billed up for the day in the city of Abuja. From church picnics to private parties, to poetry nights and so on. But the big question is: how many would pay the fees to attend these one day fun events?
Clearly, only a few can afford Valentine’s Day extravagance this year, and Oreka Benson is one of those. “I would certainly go on a shopping spree with my lover. For me, it is really a special day to do so. So I am very ready for it,” he said.
According to Catherine Obioma, a relationship and marriage counsellor, it is normal for people’s expectations about Valentine’s Day celebration to be deflated in the midst of economic hardship, but it is also possible to have a memorable one with or without a huge budget.
“Loved ones can think of alternative ways of catching some fun, if they can’t afford to buy gifts or have a big party. There are fun things like playing games, or visiting fun places like a park or museum, or even bonding together in more intimate ways that exposes more about themselves to each other,” she noted.
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