St. Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated worldwide today, means different things to different people. To an average young person, it provides the opportunity to explore their sexuality. To clerics, it is a day young people should be dissuaded from taking decisions they will live to regret and to business owners, it is an opportunity to make some money.
The British Airways (BA) considers St Valentine’s Day special. The organisation, some days back, unveilled a special fare package for a getaway.
From February 12, the BA started offering Valentine’s fares starting from N240,000 return from Abuja and about N300,000 from Lagos to London and Europe.
It will end on Sunday. It is part of the airline’s plans for its passengers to experience the romance of Paris, spring a surprise getaway to the Eternal City or hold hands watching a special screening of Pretty Woman at the Rivoli Ballroom in London during Valentine.
The specials extend to the premium cabins, with Club World fares starting from about N1.2 million.
The airline’s commercial manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, said the fares were likely to sell out fast as there were endless opportunities to make Valentine’s Day an unforgettable one.
The offer, he said, would afford BA’s passengers the opportunities to sip champagne in Paris, throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, and choose the perfect romantic gift at Harrods in London.
“British Airways is a full-service airline and provides complimentary food and drinks, free seat selection 24 hours before departure and a selection of in-flight entertainment,” he said.
As BA was unveiling its package, some women were expressing their views about perfect gifts for Valentine’s Day.
A cross-section of women in Lagos expressed their preference for wigs as Valentine’s Day gift over flowers and chocolates.
The women expressed their views in separate interviews in Lagos.
An entrepreneur, Miss Uzoma Blessing, said her preference for wig was because it added greatly to beautifying her looks.
On why it was preferred over chocolates and flowers, Blessing explained that wigs were more tangible and long-lasting gift items than chocolates, which after consumption could not be seen.
“I would really love a wig and perfume in place of chocolates and flowers and my reason is as a woman, I love to smell really nice and I love to look good hence my need for a wig.
“Also, I love gifts whereby I would always see it and remember you and I cannot say same for chocolate,” she said.
Another woman, Mrs Gift Akhimien, a motivational speaker, said her preference was based on her being an African that cherished better gift items than flowers.
“For me, wig still carries the vote because we women are cautious about our appearance. Give me a wig for Valentine’s Day and I will appreciate it because you have added to my wardrobe,” she said.
Mrs Oluwatobiloba Agbebi said wig was a better choice as it reduced the frequency at which salon visits were made.
“This is Nigeria where we don’t see value in things like flowers (that is likely to wither fast) and chocolate (that would finish in minutes).
“For wigs, it lasts as long as you can maintain it and saves you unnecessary spending on hair styling,” Agbebi said.
Some wig dealers have been smiling to the banks this season of love as sales had gained momentum.
Hemperior Hair Ventures Chief Executive Officer, a popular wigs and weaves merchandise, who chose to be addressed as Mr Afamefuna, said Valentine’s Day could be referred to as a festive season and women loved to look their best during festivities.
Afamefuna noted that purchases had soared a great deal as the season of love approached.
“Many women will want to look good on that day, especially for their men. So, they have been buying things to make them look good. Sales have improved to be honest and that is very good,” he said.
Another wig maker, Mrs Bukola Odeniyi, said since the end of the yuletide, there had not been much to do, but with Valentine’s Day in view, sales had again picked up.
“Though things are hard, some men are still going out of their way to surprise their wives. I have received few orders and I still look forward to more,” she said.
Odeniyi urged women to reciprocate the gesture of love by buying worthy gifts for their men.
“It is not singlets and boxers all the time. Be creative, buy nice shirts, designers’ belts and shoes and make him feel special too,” she said.