News
Why We Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day may be synonymous with romance, yet the history of the holiday is far from a simple love story.
Whether you adore Valentine’s Day or loathe it, one thing is certain: the holiday’s origins stretch back through the ages. Today, it’s characterised by affectionate gestures, heartfelt gifts, and the anticipation of romantic dinners, but its beginnings are intriguingly less sentimental. Here lies the true history of Valentine’s Day—one that wouldn’t quite fit into a romantic comedy, encompassing tales of a martyred saint and historical turmoil.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14, although the day of the week changes each year. In 2025, it will fall on a Friday for the first time since 2020.
Some historians trace its roots to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated annually on February 15. This lively festival heralded the arrival of spring and was steeped in themes of fertility. It featured animal sacrifices, abundant merriment, and possibly even a matchmaking ritual where men and women drew names from a jar.
As Christianity spread, many pagan traditions began to fade. In the late 5th century AD, Pope Gelasius I abolished the festival. He is often credited with instituting St. Valentine’s Day, a day of holy remembrance, to take its place, though concrete evidence of this is lacking. Regardless, the Christian observance eventually overshadowed the raucous Lupercalia.
**Who Was St. Valentine?**
St. Valentine is revered as the patron saint of lovers, those with epilepsy, and beekeepers, among others, but the true story of this enigmatic figure remains elusive. Many legends surround a Christian martyr named Valentine or Valentinus, believed to have been executed on February 14 during the 3rd century AD.
In one tale, St. Valentine was a Roman priest and physician who steadfastly refused to renounce his faith, resulting in his execution by Emperor Claudius II around 270 AD. Before his death, he is said to have miraculously healed the jailer’s daughter and, in a touching twist, fell in love with her. Legend has it that he penned her a letter on the day of his execution, signing it “from your Valentine.”
Another narrative claims that he was put to death for conducting secret weddings for soldiers, who were prohibited from marrying under Claudius II’s decree.
The details are so unclear that the Catholic Church removed him from the General Liturgical Calendar in 1969, although he is still venerated as a saint. Whoever the man may have been, his feast day replaced the pagan festivities of Lupercalia.
Before the 14th century, St. Valentine’s Day was primarily a day to honour a Christian martyr. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer is credited with intertwining St. Valentine’s Day with the notion of romance.
Chaucer’s works flourished during the Middle Ages, a time when grand expressions of love—through poetry, songs, and art—celebrated companionship. In his poem “The Parliament of Fowls,” penned around 1382, possibly to mark the engagement of King Richard II, Chaucer imagines birds gathering on St. Valentine’s Day to select their mates. The goddess Nature proclaims: “You know that on Saint Valentine’s Day / By my statute and through my governance / You come to choose — and then fly your way — / Your mates, as I your desires enhance.” From that moment, Valentine’s Day was embraced as a celebration of romantic love, and we can thank poetry—the most exquisite of art forms—for shaping our contemporary understanding of the holiday.
However, the tale of Valentine’s Day is not without its shadows. During Prohibition in Chicago, a notorious event unfolded on February 14, 1929, when seven men were brutally slain by a gang led by Al Capone. The Valentine’s Day Massacre became a pivotal moment in the history of Prohibition, prompting law enforcement to crack down on the gangs that had emerged to control the illicit trade in alcohol.
Love letters have a long and cherished history; if the legend of St. Valentine h
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has urged religious bodies to unite in condemning the violation of religious rights across the country.
He stated, “Religious rights violations affect both Christians and others. If we genuinely want to fight against such injustices, we must do so collectively in the interest of all believers.”
Rev. Hayab emphasized that no individual, regardless of their faith, should be denied their rights. He stressed the importance of respecting religious freedoms, allowing every citizen to move freely and engage in legitimate business activities for personal and national development.
Speaking in Kaduna on Monday during a congratulatory visit by Christian journalists following his recent election as Northern CAN Chairman, Hayab reiterated, “Religious bodies must stand against the violation of others’ rights.”
He expressed concern over increasing instances of religious intolerance, warning that such actions place Nigeria among countries of concern regarding religious freedom.
According to him, religious organizations should collectively urge the government to prosecute individuals who violate others’ rights based on religious differences.
“If the government starts enforcing the law against such violations, people will understand that religious discrimination is unacceptable,” he said.
” Enforcing these laws will help create an equitable society where all citizens are treated fairly.
He also thanked the Christian journalists for their support, assuring them that the new CAN leadership would ensure that Christian voices are heard and protected.
He acknowledged the backing of Christian youths, women, church leaders, and the entire Christian community in Northern Nigeria.
Reflecting on the recent CAN elections, Hayab admitted that there were challenges but was pleased that the Northern CAN constituency united in support of the elected leadership.
He affirmed his commitment to fostering understanding and harmony, stating, “My doors are always open to diverse opinions, and I am dedicated to working together to promote peaceful coexistence for the development of Northern Nigeria and the country as a whole.”
By Israel Bulus
Young leaders who embody dedication, intelligence, and a progressive vision for their constituents stand out. Among them is Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the Member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Banking and Regulations in the House of Representatives.
His legislative approach, commitment to development, and active participation in national discourse have earned him recognition as a promising parliamentarian.
Since assuming office, Bello El-Rufai has demonstrated versatility and pragmatism in his legislative duties. His contributions on the floor of the House are not only well-articulated but also highly impactful, addressing key issues affecting his constituency and the nation at large. His active participation in debates, sponsorship of bills, and engagement in parliamentary committees reflect his dedication to governance and policy-making.
One of his defining strengths is his ability to combine youthful energy with intellectual depth, positioning himself as a progressive voice among his colleagues. He has consistently championed policies aimed at improving education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment, recognizing the importance of these sectors in nation-building.
Beyond the legislative chambers, Bello El-Rufai has taken deliberate steps to enhance the welfare of his constituents. Through various initiatives, he has worked to improve access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for the people of Kaduna North. His projects and interventions reflect a genuine commitment to grassroots development.
His leadership style is rooted in inclusivity, as he remains accessible to his constituents, frequently engaging with community leaders, youth groups, and business stakeholders. This open-door approach fosters trust and ensures that the voices of the people he represents are heard and addressed.
At a time when youth participation in politics is increasingly emphasized, Bello El-Rufai serves as a symbol of inspiration for young Nigerians aspiring to lead. His performance in the National Assembly underscores the importance of fresh perspectives and innovative ideas in governance. By balancing policy-driven leadership with grassroots engagement, he exemplifies what a modern-day legislator should be.
His presence in Nigeria’s political space also challenges negative stereotypes about young politicians, proving that with the right mix of dedication, vision, and leadership skills, young leaders can thrive and make meaningful contributions to national development.
Bello El-Rufai’s journey as a lawmaker is a testament to his passion for service, his unwavering commitment to the people of Kaduna North, and his broader vision for Nigeria. His ability to blend legislative advocacy with tangible development projects sets him apart as a quintessential parliamentarian.
As he continues to make strides in policy-making, representation, and constituency development, it is evident that his contributions will leave a lasting impact. Bello El-Rufai is not just a lawmaker; he is a symbol of the future of Nigerian leadership—one that is youthful, dynamic, and responsive to the needs of the people.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, has slammed stringent bail conditions on two Abuja-based business agents, Nsor Nyami and Iranloye Olusegun, who were put on trial by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun allegedly defrauding their employer of N10.6 million.
Justice Musa Suleiman Liman, while admitting the two business agents to bail on Monday, ordered them to produce one surety each who must deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of their landed property in Abuja to the court throughout the trial of the criminal charge against them.
The sureties to the two business agents are also to produce three years tax certificate that would be verified by the Federal Inland Revenue Service in addition to signing a N20M bail bond for the defendants to be released on bail.
Delivering ruling in their fresh bail application, Justice Liman ordered the two defendants to deposit their international passports and their passport photograph with the court, while their sureties must swear to affidavit of means and submit to the court their National Identification Certificate for the purpose of ascertaining their true identities.
Justice Suleiman, who said that he admitted them to bail on special circumstances of ill health groundS, had vacated his earlier order of January 2025, before admitting them to bail.
Nsor Nyami and Iranloye Olusegun, were arraigned before the court for allegedly defrauding their employer of N10.6 million entrusted into their care.
They were also accused of selling unregistered products to unsuspecting customers across the country before the National Agency for food Drug and Adminiu(NAFDA), sealed up their factory in Abuja.
The Inspector General of Police, who acted on the petition against them and after a thorough investigation slammed on them, a 10-count charge bordering on felony, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust contrary to Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2007.
Although the defendants denied the charges, the IGP however alleged that the two accused persons, sometime in 2022 in Abuja, conspired amongst themselves to commit felony by dishonestly disposing of the Soya Plus product entrusted to them in violation of directives and guidelines prescribing the mode in which such trust is to be discharged.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2007 and punishable under Section 3 of the same Act.
The IGP also alleged that the two accused persons in the same year dishonestly converted the sum of N10.6M to their own use, being money given to them by various customers in the distribution of Peace Foundation International Soya Plus, and refused to remit the money to their employer.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Act.
Also, the IGP alleged that the accused persons in 2022 in Abuja carried out the distribution of an unregistered product named Brika Soya Beans Milk without registration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1 of the Food Product Registration Regulations of NAFDAC and punishable under Section 7 of the same Act.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/321/24, the second accused person, Olusegun Iranloye, was alleged to have criminally converted, for the purpose of stealing, the aggregate sum of N2.5m paid to him by various customers, the money being the property of his employer, contrary to Section 286 of the Penal Code Act and punishable under Section 287 of the same Act.
However, shortly after Monday’s ruling, the lead counsel to the accused persons, Ekanem Kanu Agabi, SAN informed Justice Suleiman that the two defendants would prefer to settle the dispute with the nominal complainant, while thanking the judge for admitting them to bail on health grounds.
Meanwhile, pending perfection of their bail conditions, the judge ordered that they be remanded in Kuje prison and fixed June 17, for trial of the defendants.