St. Valentine celebration is
here again! Today Friday 14th February 2014 is set aside to celebrate the true essence of love all over the world: Port Harcourt residents in the oil rich Rivers State are not left out of the celebration as most residents of Nigeria’s Garden City see it as an opportunity to embrace the flowers and cupid, put a little extra effort to slow their spouses that they are not taken for granted.
To ensure a successful celebration, most families have mapped out strategies to pamper their love ones with gifts, affection eating and drinking at exotic hangouts in the city. Showbiz personalities and operators of various entertainment outfits in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital have made serious preparations to give love seekers, families and friends a swell time.
The Tide Entertainment in a recent investigation discovered that most of the popular hangouts now wear a new look as some of the popular outfits have been refurbished and well equipped with exotic drinks of all brands, mesmerising  lightening systems and other state of the art facilities, ambience and enabling environment to give their customers  maximum fun and relaxation. The side attractions in most of this popular joints include professional dancers, artistes, comedians and Dise Jockies (DJs) who play both the old and new school songs to create an all round satisfaction for all classes of the fun seekers.
The Tide Entertainment who spoke with some of the residents found that they all want to celebrate this year’s val in grand style. According to the General Manager Clubs, Afrique Hotel Port Harcourt, Prince Victor Ifeanyi Mini, Valentine is like any other day in the sense that every day is a celebration of life. He disclosed that he will use part of the day to celebrate with his family, friends and well wishers, share love and affection and thank God for his mercies and blessings. He noted that valentine celebration is not to commit sins and encourage amorous relationships, but to come closer to God with thanksgiving.
Mr John Weli, a Port Harcourt based politician who is popularly known as Jonny B said,” I am going to pamper my wife and lavish gifts on her because love is being responsible for somebody or something unconditional, it is showing a deep part of you with tender kindness.
Also commenting on his plan for the valentine celebration, a Port Harcourt based Afro Hip hop singer and Reggae crooner.
Mr Ogwara popularly known as the “African King”, noted that this years valentine celebration is special to him as it will afford him the opportunity to thank God for his abundant mercies. He noted that the day will be celebrated with his wife and children, while his fans would be entertained with his latest song.
For Prince Opuada Sampson Bristol, transporter, Saint Valentine is a good day in remembrance of one who died for love. He stressed that even God gave his only begotten son that he should die for sinners which shows that love rules the world.
According to him, he would like to take his family and friends to some of the popular entertainment joints in Port Harcourt to celebrate this years valentine.
“I am going to lavish gifts on my girl, I will take her for dinner or just drive out with her, looking for the best pepper soup joint to entertain her, she is my val and anybody who is with me this festive period deserves an award”, he stated.
An ace comedian in the city Ubi Emmanuel popularly known as ‘Rugged Pastor’ observed that valentine is like every other day, the celebration and expression of love should not be limited to a day. Incidentally according to him, “I will be cracking jokes to entertain my friends and well wishers with my usual hilarious jokes at a comedy show here in the city as a way of giving back to the society that has made me, I would like to show love by making my fans to laugh, be happy and have wonderful relaxation.
A group under the aegis of Mama Gee International foundation, Port Harcourt chapter has finalised plans to celebrate the valentine day in a grand style. The body in a statement signed by its state chairman, Mr Promise Dokubo, said members have decided to mark the day for the love they have for one another despite their ethnic and religious diversities.
The chairman assure that it would be a day of fun, eating and drinking as members from all walks of life are expected to be present and well entertained.
According to the National chairperson of the orgainsation, Madam Love Akpabio popularly known as ‘Mama Gee’ Valentine day is a day to show love, gratitude and thanksgiving not only to humans but to God almighty. She said the occasion will be the first of its kind in the state and thanked her customers for their patronage over the years.
It would be recalled that saint valentine started as a liturgical celebration associated with St. Valentine who was imprisoned for performing wedding for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire during his imprisonment.
He was also said to have healed the daughter of his jailer Asterius. It was stated that before his execution, he wrote “from your valentine” as a fare well to her.
Today, Anglican communion as well as the Lutheran Church celebrate St. Valentine. Symbols that are used today include the heart shaped outline doves and the figure of the winged cupid. Since the 19th century, hand written valentines have given way to mass production of greeting cards every valentine.
Be that as it may, it is certain that it will be a dazzling night at most entertainment hangouts in the city of Port Harcourt, home of entertainment and hospitality as high caliber live musical concerts are expected to be held at those outlets to thrill fans with both foreign and “Naija Vibes” as well as an assemblage of popular comedians in their elements to make the night an interesting one to remember.

Musicians performing on stage