By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Ahead of Feb. 14, St. Valentine’s Day, a Cleric, Mr Chidi Udo, has called on teenagers to embrace abstinence, uphold moral values, avoid sexual immorality, and adopt disciplined lifestyles.
Udo, who is the Teens Pastor of Assemblies of God Church (AGC), House of Transformation (HOT), Surulere, made the call at the 2026 Chastity Edition organised ahead of the annual St. Valentine’s Day Celebration.
Speaking on the topic, “Chastity, My Life of Freedom”, the cleric noted that adopting a disciplined lifestyle ensures personal growth, dignity, healthy choices, and lifelong faithfulness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chastity Programme of the AGC is an annual event that promotes purity and encourages teens and youths to uphold moral values.
The event is usually held ahead of the Feb. 14 St. Valentine’s Day Celebration, to counter perceived immoral behaviours.
The 2026 edition had the theme, “Where The Spirit of God is, There is Freedom”, and had hundreds of teens from various district branches of AGC, youths from other denominations and communities in attendance.
Udo, who convened the programme, said the call for abstinence became necessary because Valentine’s Day often increased pressure on teenagers and leads some to lose their virginity in the name of ‘Love’.
“This forum creates an enabling environment whereby the teens affirm their commitment by stamping their palms on the programme banner and declaring, ‘I stand for chastity’, while the church continues praying, supporting and encouraging them.
“We are promoting chastity because early sexual activity exposes youths to immorality, diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
“However, keeping one’s virginity until marriage increases personal value and promotes faithfulness within marriage,” the teens pastor said.
He said that chastity aligned with cultural and moral values, and urged schools, churches and families to collaborate in the effort to groom decent youths beyond Valentine’s Day.
Udo stressed that all stakeholders must keep talking about sexual purity consistently.
Addressing the teens, the Guest Speaker, Mr Victor Alukoju, urged the teens to become sexual purity ambassadors by speaking boldly in schools and communities.
Alukoju said that these ambassadors must honour God through purity, holiness, and righteousness, influencing others positively by living a life aligned with God’s values.
He explained that Valentine’s Day was good as God is love, adding that true love reflected God’s holiness.
Alukoju added, “God is not sexually immoral, so if you must celebrate Valentine’s Day, celebrate God, not sin”.
He emphasised that sexual purity strengthened character, relationships, and faith, adding that true love honoured God and was pure, holy, and righteous.
“Sexual purity protects your heart, strengthens your relationship with God, and inspires others to follow God’s design with integrity and faithfulness.” Alukoju added.
In his remarks, Mr Bright Anuane, the Senior Pastor of AGC, declared that upbringing was key, saying that families must take responsibility for proper upbringing.
Anuane quoted the Bible as saying: “Train up a child in the way he should grow”, to encourage parents and guardians on proper upbringing.
He warned that moral decadence was growing rapidly, accelerated by the internet and Artificial Intelligence.
The senior pastor urged parents to educate their children on right and wrong, and to teach them the Lord’s way thereby shaping them into disciplined future adults.
“Parents must hold their children firmly, guide them in the Lord’s way, and help them embrace chastity to grow into responsible, society-transforming individuals,” Anuane added.
One of the participants, Miss Favour Edem, who doubles as the Vice-President of the AGC, shared her experience, saying chastity meant standing for Christ, truth and freedom, and saying no to immorality.
According to her, she has been a beneficiary of the programme, ading that it has been guiding her to live chastely, even when pressure comes.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
