Valentine’s Day: Only true love can end killings in NIgeria – Lagos lawmaker

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Lagos House of Assembly member representing Oshodi/Isolo II Constituency  Hon. Jude Idimogu has said that with true love among Nigerians, the rate of killings and insecurity would be drastically reduced.

He called on Lagosians and Nigerians at large to use this year’s  Valentine’s day to exhibit true love noted for sacrifice to one another.

Idimogu said when true love radiates among Nigerians, killings and insecurity will be minimal. He wondered how Nigerians troop out on a day like this to celebrate Valentine’s day which symbolises sacrificial love, whereas all sorts of vices continue to prevail in the land.

The House member who doubles as member of the Knight Order of St. Molumba of the Catholic Church was speaking as the Chairman of the “2021 Valentine’s day with the Archbishop” held at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Murtala Muhammad International Airport Road, Ikeja.

Dwelling on the theme of the day, “Love is tested in the midst of adversity” and on the topic : “Growing in the knowledge of sacrificial love”, Idimogu implored Nigerian to show agape love which is sacrificial love to one another regardless of tribe, religion and creed.

He said the theme is very apt going by the rate at which evil has taken over the land and at a time like this that the global coronavirus pandemic has made it imperative for people and societies to sacrificially extend love to one another as God sacrificially gave his only begotten son Jesus Christ.

“The season we are in is Valentine period. It’s very important Christians show agape love which is true love to others.

Hon Idimogu

“Love is sacrificial. God sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ as in the Book of John 3:16, to die for mankind that is sacrificial love.as stipulated  in the theme of this event.

“If we truly have love for one another as its being flaunted on Valentine’s day, why these killings here and there? Some of the people killing others are out there today professing  love only on thier lips.

“Nigerians and our youths in particular should show true love to one another and heal the land as St Valentine did.”

Idimogu said the annual ‘Valentine’s Day with the Archbishop’ which he has chaired twice has impacted and revived many ailing marriages, restored love. He therefore wished it could be celebrated twice or thrice in a year to make it more rooted.

“This coming up often will afford the families, friends and neighbours opportunity to come together and reflect on thier lives, sit together and ask selves questions,” he said.

The lawmaker further called on  Christians to brace up, take front seat in politics rather than sit aloof and continue to criticise the system, admonishing that their failure to partake makes it possible for the wrong persons to dominate the political space.

Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins Catholic Archbishop of Lagos

In his message, the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, The Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins urged leaders and Nigerians to show love even in the midst of hunger, nakedness, peril and persecutions of the time.

The Archbishop who was represented by the Dean, Ikeja Deanery, Very Rev. Father Patrick Obayomi, stated: “love is indeed a major need of this present time, a time when the corona virus has made many to close the doors of thier hearts against their neighbours, refusing to extend hands of love to them.”

Hon. & Lady Idimogu once more made a solemn vow to keep to the sanctity of Holy Matrimony till death do them party

Speaking, wife of the honourable member, Lady Roseline Idimogu expressed joy for the opportunity given them to chair the occasion.

Lady Idimogu said the renewal of marriage vow they did before God along with 15 other couples was a rare privilege, stated that though they were taken unawares, its worth doing after all.

“We were taken by surprise on this renewal of marriage vow, I like surprises, ,moreover we are Catholics,  and Knight of St. Molumba. There is no way we could say no to God’s plan. We are so happy, we give God glory as this will afford us opportunity to correct our mistakes to live a life pleasing to our creator,” she said.