THISDAYonline

This is the season of love. Lovers all over the world will mark today, Valentine's Day (Lovers Day), by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball to mark the event. Back home, in commemoration of the day, various organisations have lined up activities to treat lovers to a memorable celebration. From East to West, North to South, various organisations are organising special Valentine's Day programmes to entertain lovers in the commemoration of the day.

Spinning at the FCC

One of the highpoints of today's celebration is being organised by London-based Nigerian filmmaker, Ayo Shonaiya. The filmmaker is set to make lovers go Spinning this evening with the Nigerian premiere screening of his wave-making flick, Spin at the French Cultural Centre, IKoyi, Lagos.

Starring Caroline Chikezie, Chebe Azih, Ayo Shonaiya, Eric Nwadinobi, Deborah Asante and Femi Houghton, Spin is intriguing, but fascinating story about Ruky (Caroline Chikezie) who has just been ordered to leave the United Kingdom and Lucky Okoro who has just inherited his late father's millions. Lucky's close friend and lawyer, Dele, is anxious to help him consolidate his scattered investments and get paid. However, a chance meeting between Lucky and Ruky brings everyone to the knowledge of Ruky's problems which soon become the focus of everyone's attention.

Shot entirely on location in London, Spin combines cinematic creativity with soul and Jazz music, showcasing the many talents of young innovative and ambitious minds working together to make a Nigerian film worthy of international recognition. The soundtrack is provided by Nigerian soul singer Ola Onabule and hip-hop rapper Papa Ken. Also making a cameo appearance in the film is Nigerian fashion designer to the stars Ade Bakare.

Since the year 2000, Spin has been on the world film festival circuit, picking up critical acclaim along the way including festival favourite at the BFM International Film Festival in London, nominations for the Best New Director and the MICA Prize and at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles and at the 2001 Pan African Film Festival (Fespaco) in Burkina Faso 2001 respectively. The film has been listed as a Nigerian comedy at the African Diaspora Film Festival in New York and also listed as a heart-wrenching take on the serious issue of immigration at the Radiance Film Festival in London.

Spin is writer/director Ayo Shonaiya's third feature film after More Blessing and King of my Country. The film's producer is Ola Ogunloye while Timi Adegbite is the Director of Photography.

A Hearts 'n' Roses Weekend in Cross River

Meanwhile, in the hinterlands of Cross River State, the invigourated Obudu Cattle Ranch now Obudu Ranch Resort will treat lovers to a unforgettable weekend of love and extraordinary pleasure. The management of The Ranch Resort in a special Valentine's Day programme tagged, Hearts 'n' Roses Weekend, will take lovers to high heights for two days and two nights of non-stop romance in the made-for-pleasure ambience of the Ranch Resort.

The programme kicks off tonight with a dress coded exotic Valentine's Day-romance and fantasy ballroom dance party tagged: Hearts 'n' Roses Masked Ball.

Tomorrow, lovers will rediscover themselves as they are guided on tour of the beauty of nature of the Ranch Resort. Sundry romantic games and activities have also been lined up to add colour to the programme.

Lagosians in Romantic Nights with Joe

Kilimanjaro Entertainment brings Joe, the American R&B sensation to Nigeria for two nights to create love scene this Valentine season. Tonight from 8:00pm a privileged few will be having a Valentine's Day dinner with Joe at the OceanView Garden on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The artiste will jam with some Nigerian artistes tomorrow in a live concert that attracts N5,000 per head. The concert which will hold inside Expo Centre of the Le Meridien Eko Hotel also features Age (Nigeria's new R&B sensation), Maintain, Paul 'play' Dairo, Basket Mouth and guest artistes from the international scene among others.

Joe who was live Cool FM programme last week confirmed that he is ready to dish good tunes to his fans in Nigeria. He said he will be performing songs from his most loved albums, especially My Name is Joe. He has promised lovers the best of him in the concert. Apart from being the biggest show this Valentine season, the concert encapsulates the spirit of the season.

Iroko's Valentine's Day Party

As expected, a cream of top celebrities who have confirmed their attendance of the special Valentine's Day Party being organised Ola Balogun with his Iroko Band at the Golden Gate Roof Top Garden Ikoyi this evening.

From all indications, the special Valentine's Day Party promises to be one of the highpoints of this Valentine's Day celebrations. The full dinner/dance package for the party, which includes a delicious Chinese meal and a bottle of wine for each couple, has been pegged at N10,000 per couple. A less expensive package is also being provided for those who prefer to have dinner at home before heading for the Golden Gate, in which case the gate fee will be N3,000 per couple and N2,000 for singles.

In addition to dancing all night long to the captivating rhythms of Iroko, guests at the party will be treated to a fashion display by a leading US. based fashion house, which will be offering a number of top-rate designer items as gifts for best dancers and best-dressed couples, as well as a special "his and hers" gift that will be awarded to the "sweetest couple of the night".

Zenith and Jade Lovers Weekend

Most hotels and restaurants are also organising special Valentine's Day treats for customers and patrons. At two locations, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos and Effurun/Sapele Road Delta State, Zenith and Jade Garden Chinese Restaurants is set to treat lovers to three days of what it called, "Lovers Weekend."

According to the management of the outfit, the programme which incorporates a Valentine's Days lunch, candlelight dinner, passions juice and complimentary wine with special menu and discount prices, will rekindle the magic of participants love, re-awaken the tender feeling, celebrate true love affection with their partners.

RCCG's True Love

Christians are not left out too. As the world is envloped in love today, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Liberation Chapel holds her singles and Youth Dinner in celebration of the day. Aptly tagged, "True Love" to reflect the spirit of the season, the event which holds at the Church auditorium on 34/36 Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, Lagos will feature songs, worship and praise and sundry entertainment.

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. But, history records that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as is known today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. This aspect history says that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, the Cruel ruler who jailed Valentine for defying him by aiding the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples. He was condemned to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on February 14, about the year 270. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 his honor.

Another version holds that Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14 was a holiday to honor Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15, began the Feast of Lupercalia.

According another legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl - who may have been his jailor's daughter - who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Yet, in the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February - Valentine's Day - should be a day for romance. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.

The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois. In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is credited to have sent the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. It has grown to a large post office business around the world today. According to the Greeting Card Association of America, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in almost all countries of the world. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and lovers across the world exchange valentine cards gift, notes etc.