See People’s Reaction During The Distribution of Free Condoms by NGOs Ahead of Valentines Day

Residents of the FCT on Friday expressed
divergent opinions on free distribution of condoms
by civil society groups and health related NGOs
as Valentine celebrations approached.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
residents of the FCT on Friday, expressed
divergent opinions on free distribution of condoms
in parks and event centres by civil society groups
and health related NGOs as Valentine celebrations
approached.
Some Abuja residents who spoke to NAN
welcomed the gesture while others abhorred it.
According to a teacher named Tunde Olabode,
valentine is a season of love, distributing
condoms was not out of place and not something
new.
“The main purpose of this distribution is to
discourage the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases and various infections. It can also help
in the control of the rate of abortion among the
youths,” he said
Olabode, however said; “It can be negative when
one look at it from the perspective of religion
which forbids immorality.”
A civil servant, Nkechi Amadi, who said she was
given a roll of ten gold circle condoms, said there
was nothing wrong with the development, adding
that the NGOs were using the auspicious
occasion of valentine to give sex education on the
dangers involved in having unprotected sex.
“As parents, we give sex education to our children
at home, including the use of condoms; so I see
nothing wrong in what the NGOs are doing. It
serves as a medium to tell the youths that they
must not have unprotected sex to have good
health.”
Anothet civil servant, Uche George, said that
“distributing condom openly is like encouraging
immoralities and evil in the society.” She added
that the practice is “Western way of life, not
known to Africa.” She therefore advised that
emphasis should be placed on teaching moral
values.
A journalist, Felix Ajide who is also a pastor, said
that the NGOs have a misconception of what
valentine celebration was all about. He noted
that, “distributing condoms openly is endorsing
and encouraging fornication and adultery.”
Ajide explained “love and sex are two different
terms; but this action makes people to believe
that the terms mean the same thing.”
“Valentine’s Day is a day originally celebrated to
remember the love that God has for man and the
love man is expected to have for his neighbour.
However, we are losing focus on the main point
and now trying to focus on sex and lust.”
Ajide stressed that Valentine’s Day must not be
used as an excuse for erotic love, but a day to
celebrate the love and care received from our
loved ones. “I urge these NGO’s to find measures
that focus on love and not sex.
“The sexual encounter between people that are
not partners should be discouraged. They are not
helping the society. Instead, they should distribute
materials that encourage genuine love amongst
the public,” he added.