1.0 30 Years Re-Union With Rev’d Ogunjemibola Joseph Adebowale
Valentine’s
Day has become a widely celebrated event among students, often associated with
romance, gifts, and grand gestures.
But
in today’s world, where the meaning of love is often misunderstood, what does
the Bible truly say about love and relationships?
Should
students be encouraged to celebrate Valentine’s Day, or has the modern
interpretation drifted too far from its original purpose?
To
shed light on this important topic, I had the privilege of reconnecting with my
secondary school friend from Army Comprehensive High School, Akure, since 1995,
Rev’d Ogunjemibola Joseph Adebowale.
Now
a respected Reverend Father in a church in Lagos State, he shares deep biblical
insights on the true essence of love and the growing trend of Valentine’s Day
celebrations among secondary school students.
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Reflecting
on 1 John 4:8, which states,
“Anyonewho does not love does not know God, because God is love,”
Rev’d
Adebowale emphasized that love is not about fleeting emotions or peer pressure,
but about godly virtues, kindness, and respect.
He
passionately declared, "Valentine does not mean dating in secondary
school!" Instead, he believes the focus should be on selfless love, as
demonstrated by Christ.
In
this insightful conversation, we discuss the role of parents, teachers, and
religious leaders in guiding students towards a more meaningful understanding
of love.
Is
Valentine’s Day in schools a cause for concern, or can it be redirected towards
a biblical expression of true love and godliness?
Let's
find out from Rev’d Ogunjemibola Joseph Adebowale himself.
Stay
with us for an engaging discussion that challenges popular culture with
biblical truth.
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GES
News Correspondent Asked A Question As Follows:
A. Looking Back Over 30 Years Ago At Army Comprehensive High School, Akure, How Was Valentine’s Day Celebrated By Students, And What Were The Major Differences Compared To Today's Celebrations?
Rev’d
Ogunjemibola Replied As Follows:
Ah,
those were the good old days! To be honest, over 30 years ago, students at Army
Comprehensive High School, Akure, didn’t even know what Valentine’s Day was,
let alone celebrate it among peers.
Remember,
our school was built inside an Army barracks, and we were under the strict
supervision of military personnel.
The
discipline was unmatched! You wouldn’t dare misbehave because the consequences
were immediate.
Unlike
today, immorality or indecent behavior was unheard of among students.
We
had a deep respect for our teachers and authority figures.
You’d
sooner find us polishing our boots or preparing for a morning drill than
exchanging love notes or sneaking around for relationships.
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But
today? It’s a completely different world.
The
level of moral decay in some secondary schools across Nigeria is heartbreaking.
It’s
no longer just about students exchanging gifts; we now hear shocking stories of
students dating teachers and male students fighting over female classmates
because of romantic rivalries.
The
advent of information technology has brought knowledge, but its abuse has also
done immeasurable damage to our educational system.
Social
media, unsupervised internet access, and the influence of Western culture have
reshaped how young people view love and relationships.
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GES
News Correspondent Asked A Question As Follows:
B. In Recent Times, Valentine’s Day Has Been Linked To Immoral Behaviors Among Secondary School Students. What Do You Think Has Led To This Shift, And How Can Schools And Parents Address It?
Rev’d
Ogunjemibola Replied As Follows:
The
root cause of this shift is the distortion of love’s true meaning.
Today’s
culture promotes a worldly and fleshly definition of love, often reducing it to
mere infatuation and physical attraction.
This
contradicts the biblical teaching that Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV).
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Unfortunately,
many young people lack guidance, and peer pressure has made them susceptible to
adopting unwholesome practices.
Social
media, music, and movies have further fueled this trend by glamorizing
relationships based on lust rather than godly love.
To
address this, parents must take responsibility for teaching their children the
biblical foundation of love.
Proverbs22:6 (NIV) says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even whenthey are old, they will not turn from it.”
Schools
should also incorporate moral and biblical values into their educational
curriculum.
Teachers
and school administrators can organize programs that emphasize purity, respect,
and the importance of honoring God in relationships.
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GES
News Correspondent Asked A Question As Follows:
C. Many Students See Valentine’s Day As A Time For Peer Pressure And Unhealthy Relationships. What Practical Advice Would You Give To Young Students On How To Celebrate The Day Responsibly?
Rev’d
Ogunjemibola Replied As Follows:
My
advice to young students is to remember that love should never be forced or
manipulated.
Romans 12:2 (NIV) warns us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Young
people must understand that their worth is not determined by having a boyfriend
or girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.
Instead
of falling into the trap of peer pressure, students should use Valentine’s Day
as an opportunity to demonstrate godly love—love that is selfless, pure, and
kind.
Jesus Himself said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12, NIV).
True
love is about showing care and respect for others, not engaging in reckless
behavior.
A
good way to celebrate responsibly is by doing acts of kindness—visiting the
sick, helping classmates, or writing heartfelt messages of encouragement.
Also,
students should prioritize self-respect and avoid relationships that pull them
away from God’s will.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) reminds us, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
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GES
News Correspondent Asked A Question As Follows:
D. What Role Should Teachers, Religious Leaders, And School Administrators Play In Promoting The True Essence Of Valentine’s Day—Love, Kindness, And Respect—Rather Than Materialism And Immorality?
Rev’d
Ogunjemibola Replied As Follows:
Teachers,
religious leaders, and school administrators have a God-given responsibility to
guide the younger generation in the right path.
Matthew 5:14 (NIV) says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
They
must be role models who promote the values of love, kindness, and respect, not
just on Valentine’s Day but throughout the year.
Teachers
should educate students on the biblical meaning of love and its importance in
relationships.
Schools
can also organize discussions, Bible studies, and workshops that encourage
students to embrace Christian values instead of worldly influences.
Religious
leaders must teach the youth that love is first and foremost a reflection of
God’s nature.
1 John 4:8 (NIV) states, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
When
young people understand that love originates from God, they will not seek
validation through ungodly relationships.
Finally,
school administrators can create positive alternatives to counteract the
materialistic culture surrounding Valentine’s Day.
Charity
events, community service programs, and mentorship initiatives can help
students develop a deeper, more meaningful understanding of love.
As Colossians 3:14 (NIV) says, “And over all these virtues put on love, whichbinds them all together in perfect unity.”
2. Conclusion
Interviewer:
Thank
you so much, Rev’d Ogunjemibola, for your insightful responses. It has been an
enlightening conversation, and I truly appreciate your time.
Rev’d
Ogunjemibola:
The
pleasure is mine. I pray that young people will embrace the true meaning of
love—one that reflects God’s goodness and purity.
May
we all strive to be examples of His love in our daily lives. Thank you for
having me!
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