- Title: NIGERIA: Black is the color of love in Nigeria this season
- Date: 12th February 2013
- Summary: VISITORS AT EVENT
- Embargoed: 27th February 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA4BCXY3R23BUCWF6SV6I0JRZEC
- Story Text: The annual Valentine's season when romantics shower each other with flowers, chocolates and other gifts is just around the corner, and in Nigeria the party is already well under way, and this year its black.
A local events company is selling the idea of a black valentine in an effort to get away from the mainstream red day.
At a popular club in Lagos, guests are encouraged to wear black.
But it doesn't mean that there is anything gloomy or dark about the celebration.
Expensive champagne and lavish dinners are flying off the shelves, and its not even valentines day yet.
"Basically, Valentine is always a red thing, after a while it gets boring, everybody expects red and so we decided to switch it this year and change the concept of Valentine and make it black," said Chuma Ajufo, one of the organizers of the event.
Valentine's Day in Nigeria like in many parts of the world has become a great time to market and do brisk business. To show their love to family and friends people often pay top dollar to impress.
"I don't see why anybody, Nigerian or not would not want to associate with love, because love is good, or sorry, love is supposed to be good because for some people, it's not that good but love is supposed to be good, you know, and everybody would associate with Valentine from whichever country I guess, I don't think there's a country where Val is not celebrated," said Scott Igbene, a guest at the event.
"For me it's very important because it's a good time for people to book DJ's for parties and events so, it's been like that so I'm always excited around Valentine," said Jimmy Jatt, a Dj in Lagos.
However, many Nigerians say that spending money on this holiday isn't the only way to say that you care.
A number of shoppers prefer to stick to a budget and not spend big, opting for affordable flowers and gifts instead.
Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for florists, gift shops, jewellers and boutiques around the world. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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