By Uchenna Eletuo
Ahead of Friday’s Valentine’s Day celebration, no fewer than 1,500 teenagers and youths in Lagos yesterday 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 and committed 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 the Centre for Defence of Mortality, a non-governmental organisation.
It featured group discussions and panel discussions on promoting morality among youths and teenagers.
The participants were grouped into 21 groups, each 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 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 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.
A participant, Miss Delight Emenike, a 14-year Eric Moore Secondary School student, 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 a need for them to avoid pornography, cross-dressing, and drug abuse.
