NAIJA GOOD: VALENTINE SPECIAL
"Valantaine is coming, where is ya boyfriend..
You are sitting at home, Lonelyyyyyyyyyyyyy . Valantaine is coming, Valantaine is coming, Valantaine is coming…"
On the 14th of February is VALENTINE’S DAY; A day created to celebrate one’s lover, a day to show extra love, give gifts and go on dates.
It is recognized worldwide but unlike Christmas, Easter, ID EL KABIR, SALLAH, Democracy day and New year’s day it is not a public holiday. It isn’t recognized by the government -definitely not the Nigerian government.
It is a day that everyone is fully aware of. A special day set aside like Mother’s Day, Father’s day, brother’s day and friendship day. And just like International Women’s Day, WORLD’S MALARIA DAY & WORLD’S POLIO DAY, It is an awareness day or month that challenges you to do something extra.
When “Valentine Is Coming” there is a lot of pressure everywhere, on all genders especially the males. Research has shown that a woman would spend about N10,000 to buy a gift on valentine for her man while a man spends N22,154. Thank you men!
Now, let’s bring Naija into this.
We all know Nigerians have a special way of doing everything..
In Nigeria, a man is usually the one who has to make the moves when it comes to love or relationships.
He has to plan a date, buy a gift, card, chocolates, texts. He spends a lot and takes it on himself or is pleaded to pay for his woman’s hair, buy her a dress and maybe recharge her phone. NO PRESSURE!!
Now let’s talk about when “Valentine is coming” for a woman in Naija: she might want to keep her phone close to her all day cuz she wouldn’t want mummy picking those calls or seeing the texts from her romantic partner, she would also start scheming ways to leave the house without letting her parents know that she is going to see a boy, she might pick that day to tell her parents that she has a boyfriend but unlike the American parents don’t expect a warm hug or pretty faces.
Even if she isn’t living with her parents, independent or married, there is always something to fuss about; what to wear, what gift to pick ( this might not be that easy -a gift that makes her not look cheap, not finish all her money but still stand out in case of other iyawos). NO PRESSURE!!!!
When “Valetine is coming” in this country, the most single youths make it a spectacle. Funny memes and videos of valentine going wrong, using the popular “where is your girlfriend, where is your boyfriend” song, what to expect or get rid off or worse -hilarious mockery to those who don’t have a valentine wouldn’t be left out. Jabs at those who are in love, unbothered about valentine and a lot of “God when!!”. It is also a day to remember when you got served ‘Breakfast’ or caught those butterflies. In Nigeria, 91% celebrate Valentine while 9% don’t.
Love and Family has changed so many things, now valentine is not just a day to appreciate your lover but now we have deemed it as a day to show that extra love to your family, friends and fancies.
Time has also changed and not only may you not receive that slap when your mum learns about your boyfriend, your parents might also want to get to know him and advise you. The offsprings of these days tend to create more understanding with their parents regarding what they want, something which has been a tough shell to crack in Nigeria but we are getting there.
Hence! NAIJA GOOD
Let the world feel your love, have a happy valentine^_^.
Here is a beautiful song by SINMIDELE and REMII that tales a little about how those that don’t have a Val tend to feel. But in this tune they’ve sweetly reassured and you must know that -“Ifé bi ejí owurò, o nbó lòdóré..” DOWNLOAD HERE!
~We would also be collecting constructive opinions, topics and personal experiences. When you share your personal experience about a particular topic we have posted; it will be featured as our ‘Story Of The Week’. You can send them to our Instagram Direct message or our EMAIL Address – naijagood@goodnotes.com.ng
Keep them coming, thank you!
STORY OF THE WEEK, 1.
"Ah!
Reminds me of the sneaky ways we delivered our love letters with Valentine cards to our sweethearts when we were teenagers.
As a teenager then, you would be looking for every excuse to be outside the house because you didn't have the luxury of owning a phone and so there was no other way to know when your sweetheart comes around.
We can even volunteer to throw away the trash just so we could be outside.
We also had to bribe our younger siblings to be on the lookout for us.
But be ready to be a victim of blackmail from your younger siblings. They can even blackmail you to do their chores for them.
Woe betides you though if your parents especially your mom discovers the evidences of your teenage love affair which are the cards and letters.
You would be in for punishment and a very long sermon that can last for two weeks.
That's when your past sins especially Academic low performances would be brought up.
But to us, it was worth it. To us, our parents didn't understand that burning desire in our teenage hearts to love, be loved and be with our loved one.
We felt like Martyrs. We felt persecuted for something as pure as our love.
It was us against the world and with our teenage lovers by our side, we felt victorious.
My special appreciation goes to the Westlife and Backstreet boys music bands, Celine Dion and Tuface for their romantic blues."
~Okafa Pascal Okporghe
I guess I’m part of the 9% of Nigerians left out from the Valentine thing.
Great one! 🙌