Actor Jide Awobona has said he does not make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day because he believes love should be shown every day.
The 41-year-old spoke about his views in an interview with Saturday Beats, recalling a past Valentine’s Day experience that left a bad memory.
“We went out one day and it ended horribly because throughout the day, I was on a call with one of my family members for hours. We actually went out to a restaurant to have a nice time, but at the end of the day, we fought and argued. It was not a good day,” he said.
Jide added that the experience did not change how he views love.
“I don’t want to have a special day before I can show love. Every day is like Valentine’s Day for me. It depends on the vibe and the mood. I show love every day.”
He said love should extend beyond romantic partners.
“You need to learn to show love to everybody—friends, family, people you don’t know, people you know. Love supersedes intimacy or someone you’re dating. In my daily life, I try as much as possible to express love.”
On Valentine’s Day itself, Jide said he focuses on work and his craft rather than one specific celebration.
“As I’m speaking with you, I’m at work. If it’s not Valentine’s Day, I’ll still be at work entertaining people. That’s what I do,” he said.
He also addressed young people’s focus on material expectations in relationships.
“A lot of them feel like, ‘If my boyfriend cannot do this for me, we can’t be together.’ That means you rate material things over how you feel for the person,” he said.
Jide is best known for roles in Jenifa’s Diary and other Nollywood productions. He and his wife have shared milestones in their personal life online, including celebrating decades of friendship and marriage together.
