As Nigeria joins global Valentine’s Day celebrations, Presiding Bishop Israel Alaya of Dominion Bible Church International has urged young people to observe the day with “agape love”—a selfless, spiritual love—rather than using it as an opportunity for sexual immorality.
Bishop Alaya, speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, stressed that Valentine’s Day is not biblically sanctioned for fornication or adultery. He noted a recurring pattern where hotels become fully booked on the day, as people seek secluded locations for extramarital affairs. “God’s idea concerning sex is that it should be confined to marriage, and anything outside of marriage is not acceptable,” he stated.
His comments followed a youth-led “Valentine walk” themed “Living in Purity is Possible.” Participants marched through key areas of Quarry, Post Office, and Panseke, holding placards with messages including “Say no to Rape,” “No Sex Until Marriage,” and “Purity in Government, Education, Entertainment.” The Bishop explained that the march aimed to raise awareness and affirm that “our bodies are not for sale,” describing them instead as “the temple of God.”
Alaya challenged youths to reconsider the definition of love, contrasting fleeting physical desire with agape love. “If love means taking our daughters to bed in hotels, that is not the will of God,” he said. “It cannot move a nation forward. But if we define love as agape… then we would be blessed by Him.”
He also called on parents to foster open, loving communication with their children to prevent exploitation and deception. “Parents should be close to their children; don’t allow anyone to use money to take them away from you and corrupt their lives,” he advised.
Expanding his message to national ethics, Alaya urged Nigerian leaders at all levels to demonstrate love through justice and timely prosecution, particularly concerning terrorism. He criticized the government’s inaction despite international identifications of terrorism sponsors, stating, “If people are involved in terrorism, which is a crime, they should be prosecuted. Other nations are pointing out individuals… yet our leaders remain silent.”
The event underscores a growing religious advocacy for moral reform in Nigeria, linking personal purity and societal integrity ahead of the Valentine’s period.
