The Saint Valentine’s Day celebration marked globally may have cost Nigerians about N30 billion spent on purchase of gifts and luxury items to loved ones.
Valentine’s Day, or St Valentine’s Day, is
celebrated yearly across the world on February 14. It is the day when
people show their affection for one another or people by sending cards,
flowers or chocolates with messages of love.
Speaking on a live
Television programme- Business Morning monitored on Channels TV
yesterday, Senior Economist, SPM Professionals, Mr. Paul Alaje, said
that it was estimated that about 40 percent of the country’s 200 million
population will spend an average of N5,000 to celebrate St Valentine’s
Day.
Alaje explained that the confectionary, entertainment,
telecommunications, beverages and drinks and the flower industry will be
major beneficiaries of N30 billion figures to be spent. Many families
and loved ones would buy cakes, visit the cinemas, restaurants and also
purchase Rose flowers in bid to make the celebration a memorable one.
The
economist further explained that the Information Communication
Technology (ICT) sector is also a major beneficiary as many Nigerians
will make voice and internet calls while others will opt to send text
messages, adding that those without internet subscription and call
credit would be forced to recharge same.
A member of the economic
think tank, Financial Derivatives Limited, Temitope Olugbile, said
those in the business of ballons and chocolates will equally be making
brisk business.
However, she regretted that Nigeria was not getting
much value from its cocoa as the major chunk of it are exported and
later imported back into the country as chocolates, thereby creating
jobs for other citizens of the world.
In Lagos, some of the
restaurants and confectionary outlet visted by Daily Sun, recorded huge
turn out of customers as long queues of customers were seen making
frantic efforts to make payments for products bought. At the popular
Ikeja City Mall at Alausa, Ikeja, young lads were seen in most stores
buying perfumes and clothings, while others in the restaurants were
having fun time with their friends and loved ones as at launch time.
The
Shoprite store at Alausa also made huge sales as all the cashier points
had long queues of customers waiting in line to make payment for items
bought. Meanwhile, Americans according to a new survey, will be
collectively spending a whopping $30 billion on gifts for their
families, partners, and themselves for the Valentine Day.
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