A cleric, Mr. Chidi Udo, has called on teenagers to embrace abstinence, uphold moral values and live disciplined lifestyles ahead of the Feb. 14 St. Valentine’s Day celebration.
Udo, the Teens Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church (AGC), House of Transformation (HOT), Surulere, made the call at the 2026 Chastity Edition programme organised to sensitise youths ahead of Valentine’s Day.
Speaking on the theme, “Chastity, My Life of Freedom,” Udo said adopting a disciplined lifestyle promoted personal growth, dignity, healthy choices and lifelong faithfulness. He noted that the annual programme was designed to promote purity and counter perceived immoral behaviours often associated with Valentine’s Day celebrations.
According to him, Valentine’s Day usually increases pressure on teenagers, leading some to lose their virginity in the name of love.
“This forum creates an enabling environment where teens affirm their commitment by stamping their palms on the programme banner and declaring, ‘I stand for chastity,’ while the church continues to pray, support and encourage them,” Udo said.
He warned that early sexual activity exposed youths to immorality, diseases and unwanted pregnancies, adding that keeping one’s virginity until marriage enhanced personal value and promoted faithfulness in marriage.
Udo urged schools, churches and families to collaborate in grooming morally upright youths, stressing that discussions on sexual purity must be sustained beyond Valentine’s Day.
The 2026 edition, themed “Where the Spirit of God Is, There Is Freedom,” attracted hundreds of teenagers from various AGC district branches, as well as youths from other denominations and communities.
Guest speaker, Mr. Victor Alukoju, urged participants to become ambassadors of sexual purity in their schools and communities. He said Valentine’s Day was good because God is love, but stressed that true love reflected God’s holiness.
“God is not sexually immoral, so if you must celebrate Valentine’s Day, celebrate God, not sin,” Alukoju said, adding that sexual purity strengthened character, relationships and faith.
In his remarks, the Senior Pastor of AGC, Mr. Bright Anuane, emphasised the role of families in proper upbringing, warning that moral decadence was increasing, driven largely by the internet and artificial intelligence.
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Quoting the Bible, he urged parents and guardians to guide their children in the Lord’s way, saying this would shape them into disciplined and responsible adults.
One of the participants, Miss Favour Edem, described chastity as standing for Christ, truth and freedom. She said the programme and the vows taken by participants had helped her remain committed to a chaste lifestyle despite societal pressure.
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