Ahead of Valentine’s Day, teenagers, others commit to chastity
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, teenagers, others commit to chastity
Ahead of Friday’s Valentine’s Day celebration, no fewer than 1,500 teenagers and youths in Lagos on Sunday vowed to remain chaste.
The teenagers and youths took a five-kilometre walk across some streets of Lagos State, stating their position.
They ended the walk at the Lagos Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), where they recited some morality codes, committing to a life of chastity.
The event which had the theme: ” A New Identity for Feb. 14: From Lovers Day to Chastity Day”, was organised by a non-governmental organisation, Centre for Defence of Mortality.
It featured group discussions and panel discussions on how to promote morality among youths and teenagers.
The participants were grouped into 21, with each group comprising 13 members and lectured by social workers and moralists on ways to avoid immoral behaviour and be more responsible.
The Convener, Dr Nkem Chima, said that the event was the 13th edition.
He said that the event was being held annually to promote morality, particularly abstinence from premarital sex.
Chima said that abstinence from premarital sex would bring honour to the youth and the society, urging that Africans should promote it.
“The African teenage girl is distinct,” he said.
He regretted that some teenagers and youths had been victims of ritual murder and other forms of violence due to their immoral conduct.
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A participant, Miss Delight Emenike, a 14-year student of Eric Moore Secondary School, told NAN that the vow was from her heart.
She said that the knowledge she gained from the event about the dangers of premarital sex would help her much.
“I will maintain chastity till I get married,” she said.
One of the resource persons, Ms Uche Agbai, listed ways a teenager could maintain chastity.
She urged the participants to avoid fornication, incest, homosexuality and lesbianism.
Agbai also said there was the need for them to avoid pornography, cross dressing and drug abuse.
Agbai urged the participants to take the campaign to their various schools and communities.