Veteran actor Jide Awobona has revealed that he does not observe Valentine’s Day in the traditional sense, insisting that every day is an opportunity to show love.
In an interview with Saturday Beats, Awobona recounted a past Valentine’s experience during his university days that ended poorly. A romantic outing to a restaurant with his then-girlfriend was overshadowed by a lengthy phone call with a family member, which led to arguments and tension.
“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 fought and argued. It was not a good day,” he said.
Despite the memory, the actor’s philosophy on love remains unchanged. “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,” Awobona explained.
He stressed that love extends beyond romantic relationships. “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,” he added.
For this year’s Valentine’s, Awobona plans to spread love through his craft rather than focusing on one individual. “How I’m spending my Valentine’s Day is to show love to other people by blessing them with my craft and talent. Not just one person having it,” he said.
On financial stability in relationships, the actor noted that genuine love should not hinge solely on material wealth. “It’s always a two-way thing. I give, you give. When I have, I give. When I don’t have…” he said, observing that some young people, especially in Gen Z, often overemphasize material contributions in relationships.
Addressing industry misconceptions, Awobona clarified that on-screen romance does not reflect real-life relationships. “There are some actors I’ve acted love scenes with that I don’t even know. People will say, ‘You can’t tell me you’re not dating.’ But that’s my job. I’m supposed to make it look real,” he said.
Through his reflections, Awobona underscores a philosophy of love rooted in consistency, authenticity, and sharing affection with all those around him.
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