Valentine's Day in Nigeria: Red Roses Mask a Nation in Deep Crisis
February 14th arrives once more, bringing with it the familiar spectacle of crimson roses and boxes of chocolate. In Nigeria, this tradition is embraced with characteristic vibrancy, as couples renew vows, exchange gifts, and celebrate the beauty of human connection. However, beneath this festive veneer lies a troubling reality that demands urgent reflection.
The Symbolism of Red: Affection or Bloodshed?
As Nigerians adorn themselves in red this year, a critical question emerges: Does this color represent the warmth of our affection, or has it become a haunting reminder of the blood of innocent citizens crying out from our soil? Can genuine love truly flourish in a nation gripped by crisis? The symbolism of Valentine's Day must evolve beyond superficial gestures. It is no longer sufficient to share gifts among ourselves while the nation burns with violence and moral decay.
True love, in its most potent form, is patriotism. We cannot claim to know love while remaining indifferent to the structural and moral rot eating at the heart of the Giant of Africa. Our headlines are heavy with accounts of kidnappings and killings that have turned highways into valleys of death. Our youth, the heartbeat of our future, often trade their souls for fleeting illusions through fraudulent schemes like "Yahoo Yahoo," justifying exploitation as mere survival.
The Crisis of Character and Civic Neglect
We speak of "love," yet Nigeria grapples with a profound crisis of character. You cannot love a person and cheat them, nor can you love a nation and vandalize public property meant for the common good. Whether it is a politician diverting funds meant for hospitals or a citizen stripping copper wires from streetlights, the root cause is the same: a profound lack of love and civic responsibility.
Our faith traditions offer clear guidance on this matter. The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, states that love "does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking." Similarly, the Holy Quran in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 2, reminds us: "And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." These teachings underscore that love must translate into ethical action and collective duty.
How Love Can Transform Nigeria
When we truly love Nigeria, empathy becomes our primary policy. Genuine love would ensure no soul is relegated to the squalor of an IDP camp while others feast in ivory towers. Terrorism, whether through insurgency in the bush or corruption in the corridors of power, is a symptom of a soul detained by hate and greed. A patriotic love demands that we:
- Stop deliberate manipulations that ruin our economy for selfish gain.
- Quench the fires of religious intolerance fueled by those who profit from divisions.
- Protect the vulnerable and treat strangers with kindness, as our faiths command.
This Valentine's season, let our gift of love be the depth of our patriotism and the restoration of our integrity. We must move beyond the superficiality of wearing red to the intentionality of being "read" as epistles of kindness. Love is not a passive emotion; it is the courage to do what is right even when no one is watching. It is the decision to build rather than break, to heal rather than hurt.
A Call to Action for a Compassionate Society
As we celebrate this year, let the spirit of love lead us toward a more compassionate and honest society. Let us love ourselves, love our neighbors, and above all, love Nigeria not just in words, but in truth and deed. Happy Valentine's Day. May love save our land.
Titilope Anifowoshe is a lawyer and Ambassador of Politics With Value, writing from Lagos, Nigeria. The views expressed are her own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of any organization.
