LAGOS – Some fun-seekers in Lagos said on Saturday that the Valentine Day celebration was low key due to economic situation in the country.
Some of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that most Nigerian now runs a tight budget.
Mr Oluwaseyi Adefowose, a banker said that the rise in dollars as against the naira had affected a lot of Nigerians in celebrating Valentine Day.
“So many people do not have money to celebrate Valentine.
“People now plan their finances around more serious and important commitments, Valentine celebration is certainly not most people priority now,’’ he said.
Mr Temitope Ayilara, an engineer, said that the country’s economic condition had called for cautious spending.
“Most people prefer to stay at home and manage their little resources than celebration Valentine in elaborate manner,’’ he said.
Mrs Cynthia Fidelis, the Manager of Jayvibes Entertainment at Sweet Sensation, Lagos, said that Nigerians were more concerned about addressing their pressing needs.
“Most people have not paid their children’s school fee and you are talking about Valentine.
“The Nigerian government needs to work on the current economic situation in the country,’’ Fidelis said.
Mr Emmanuel Olajide, a teacher, said Nigerians were fun-seekers but the current economic situation was affecting Valentine celebration across the country.
“Majority of Nigerians craves for fun but your pocket has to dictate to you, how you seek fun at this trying time,’’Olajide said.
He urged Nigerians to remember the less-privileged and the orphanage homes during Valentine season.
Meanwhile, relaxation spots and business owners in Ikorodu, witnessed low patronage of fun- seekers.
Observers note that preparation for the general election was responsible for the poor patronage during the Valentine Day celebration.
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Mr Peters Elijah, a hotel operator, said that there was no special programme for the celebration due to the day that initially fell on presidential election date.
“We did not plan any special event for Valentine Day celebration because of the election which was earlier scheduled for Feb. 14.
“So there is no planned activity for today, however, we have a few guests with their family using our pool facility.
“We also expect that a few more would come at the night draws nearer to patronise our bars and other facilities,’’ he said.
Mrs Caroline Amadi, who manages a bear parlour at Odonla, Lagos, said that patronage in her shop had decreased compared to the last Valentine Day.
“I cannot give specific figure of sales now but from my estimates, last year was better in terms of sales.
“The few customers blame it on the state of country economy, but we are hoping that more customers will come at night because our business thrives at that time,’’ she said.(NAN)