Enugu residents to celebrate valentine in low key

Residents of Enugu have said that they will celebrate the 2017 valentine in low key.

They told Newsverge on Monday that the low key celebration was because of the economic recession in the country.

According to them the hardship in the country will not allow elaborate celebration.

A Newsverge correspondent, who went round some gift item shops and markets in Enugu metropolis, reports that the traders complained of low patronage.

A resident of Achara Layout in Enugu, Mr Obinna Ukoh, said he would have loved to visit some motherless baby homes but it would not be possible because of “tight economic situation’’.

“In previous years, I used to visit motherless baby homes with my family as part of my valentine celebration but it will not be possible this year,” he said.

Mrs Regina Igwe, a giftshop owner at Agbani Road, told Newsverge that she would not restock her shop this valentine since people were not able to buy the existing stock due to increase in prices.

Mr Linus Uduma, a ladies’ wears seller at Ogbete Market, said that it had been difficult for him to make sales compare to previous years.

“The red gowns, shoes, hand bags and night wears for valentine are still in their position in the shop since I brought them.

“Nobody has come to buy any valentine item since I came back from Lagos two weeks ago.”

“Since morning I have been standing trying to call in customer into my shop but all to no avail,” Uduma said.

A resident of Enugu, Mr Ken Echezona, said he would not spend much because of the valentine rather he would take his wife and children to a nearby shopping mall to buy one or two things for them just to make them happy.

Mrs Joy Emordi said it was not a must that someone must celebrate valentine.

“Just to make my children and husband happy, I will cook and bake their favourite dish and snack for them,’’ Emordi said.