Base on report as Nigerians joined the rest of the world to celebrate St Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, a survey has indicated that was about 70 per cent increase in the sale of condoms and contraceptives purchased mainly by fun seekers.
A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) around Oyingbo, Yaba, Ikeja and University of Lagos (UNILAG) on the day shows that there was an increase in the sale of the materials for safe sex.
NAN reports that though there are many diverse historic stories surrounding how St Valentine’s Day came to existence, the most celebrated account is about a Roman priest beheaded in the third century.
The date is for the celebration of what many chose to call season of love is Feb. 14.
Arguably, no one can agree on exactly what he did or why he was executed but some legends say St. Valentine was a bishop in Terni, Italy.
He was said to have healed the sick, including the blind daughter of a prison guard whom he met while in jail for practicing Christianity in a pagan world.
Some say he was sentenced to death because he tried to convert Emperor Claudius to Christianity.
Others yet say the sentence came because he was caught secretly performing weddings, defying a ban on marriage that had been imposed by the Emperor as a solution to a military recruitment crunch.
The check by NAN on the supermarkets, chain stores and kiosks around Lagos showed that condom sales are on the increase with the sellers’ acknowledging the increase in their sales.
At Anifat Stores, Oyingbo road, there was about 80 per cent increase in the sale of condoms according to the shop owner, Mrs Anifat Adebiyi.
Adebiyi said that it was expected that there should be a major increase in the sale of condoms and contraceptives because there would always be an increase in sexual activities on such a day.
“We do have a sharp increase, and it is expected we have more sales during Valentine’s Days because that is the day many will want to express themselves.
“We are expecting more sales because many will still come to buy, but we don’t normally increase the price of the condoms.
“Condoms are in various qualities depending on the one the consumer may want to buy. It is a season everybody wants to show love through love making.
Another Kiosk owner at Oyingbo said that he was expecting his supplier to give him more quantities because he was almost out of sale.
“I am expecting my supplier for more condoms because there will be more demand today being Valentine’s Day.
“I always have increase in the sale of condoms during Valentine days and it is expected because many anticipate that,’’ he said.
Another check by NAN to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka shows a lots of Valentine’s Day celebration going on in the campus.
Students in the mood of the season of love showed that they were in the celebration garb with many regarding the day as a time to express undying love among themselves.
Many of the students were dressed in red typifying the colour of the day, while many were also dancing to the music blaring at the popular student arcade from a stand by DJ.
A student in the Department of Education, Kofoworola Majekodunmi, said that it was a day when immoral activities were at its peak because of what many ascribed the day to be.
“ Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers and fun for loved ones, families and friends. It is a day set aside for immoral activities and socials.
“This is also when illicit affairs commence more because people’s perspective says it is a day for lovers and friends,’’ she said.
The Assistant Secretary-General of Anti-Aids Club in the university, Joshua Ogunmola, a student of English Education, said Valentine is a day for lovers, but the club advises students on the need for safe sex.
He said the club preached on the ABC of Sex Abstinence, Be faithful and use Condom; especially Abstinence.
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