Ndi Imo | Valentine's Day: Engr Chukwu felicitates with Imolites
Valentine's Day: Engr Chukwu felicitates with Imolites
The Special Adviser/General Manager of Owerri Capital Development Authority OCDA, Engr. Francis Chukwu has on behalf his family, the Management and Staff of OCDA felicitated with Imolites on the celebration of this year's Valentine Day Celebration.
In a statement personally signed by him and made available to News men, Chukwu went down memory lane to enumerate some key points on why the day is popularly called Lover's Day.
He said, "Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of love in many regions of the world. There are a number of martyrdom stories associated with various Valentines connected to February 14, including an account of the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century.
"According to an early tradition, Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailer. Numerous later additions to the legend have better related it to the theme of love. A popular account of the narrative has it that Saint Valentine performed weddings for Christian soldiers who were forbidden to marry.
"Interestingly, the Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269".
He urged Ndi Imo to while celebrating the day, reflect on it's true essence, "As we mark the day, let us try our very best to reflect on the true essence for which Valentine's Day was fostered so that we will not indulge in such acts that are inimical to the setting aside of February 14th annually as St. Valentine's Day. Therefore, let us show and express love to one another genuinely for the upliftment of humanity and for good of the Society"He said.
