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

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 s.e.xually 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 s.e.x education on the dangers involved in having unprotected s.e.x.

“As parents, we give s.e.x 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 s.e.x 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 s.e.x 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 s.e..x 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 s.e.x.

“The s.e.xual 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.