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.
