Bishop Charles Ighele, the General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission, has urged Nigerian authorities to ban the celebration of Valentine’s Day, arguing that it promotes immorality and distorts its original meaning.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ighele claimed that the day, which was initially about showing kindness and helping the needy, has been hijacked to encourage illicit sexual activities and romantic relationships. He described it as a “deception from the devil” that imposes a “universal day of immorality” on society.
The bishop linked Valentine’s Day to the Roman god of love, Cupid, whom he believes spreads sexual desires and entertainment. Quoting Ephesians 6:11-12, he warned that the day is spiritually connected to forces of darkness and further argued that its roots in the Greek god Eros—where the word “erotic” originates—reinforce its association with lustful desires.
Calling on the government, churches, schools, and families to take a stand, Ighele stressed the need to promote values that uplift society rather than those that corrupt young minds. He believes banning Valentine’s Day would protect the youth from negative influences and help restore moral order.
His comments have sparked discussions on whether Valentine’s Day should be seen as a harmless celebration of love or a harmful cultural influence.
