As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day today, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Kennedy Ibeh, has urged youths and the people of the state to eschew violence, embrace true love and celebrate with moderation.

He said the commemoration of the death of St. Valentine, who paid the supreme price for love, has been recognised globally as celebration of love, bond and relationship.

Ibeh, who represents Obowo Constituency, gave the advice in a statement issued at the weekend by his Chief Press Secretary, Ifeanyi Onyekachi.

His words: “I rejoice with Imo people as they celebrate Valentine’s Day, otherwise known as Lovers’ Day. Saint Valentine was a man, who history has told us, died for encouraging love among young ones by joining them in marriage.

“l, therefore, enjoin all to see the act of St. Valentine as a reflection of the true Igbo spirit of love, unity entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, which are synonymous with our people since time immemorial.”

He stressed that the celebration was a clarion call on Imo youths to eschew all forms of violence and embrace unconditional love, adding: “I pray that God in his infinite mercies will fill us with the spirit of true love as manifested in the life of Saint Valentine”.

On insecurity, Ibeh urged them not to indulge in rising anti-social vices, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, quick money syndrome and others, which negate the spirit of love being celebrated on February 14 of every year.