COMMEMORATING
THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP, TODAY WEDNESDAY JULY 30
It is often said that, two heads are better
than one. On the other hand, it is globally and popularly noted that, a tree
does not make a forest. These and many more similar quotations, which signify
the essence of partnership or amalgamation, are in existence the world over.
The aforementioned philosophies are not
unconnected to the fact that, no one can do it all alone if efficiency or
effectiveness remains his/her watchword. No doubt, this was the reason God
ensured that a woman was formed having created a man. This simply implies that
everyone requires a friend in whom he is well pleased in order to arrive at the
success room.
A friend, in a nutshell, is a person
that one likes and knows well. More so, it could be defined as a supporter of a
cause or a staunch fan of a certain organization. Suffice to say that, a friend
is the first person you wish to call whenever you receive good news; also, a
friend is that person or fellow that would like to accompany you on the most
boring errands or trips and make them seem fun.
In the same vein, friendship is a kind
of relationship between two or more people who care about each other. Since friendship
has to do with people who truly care about each other, it is needless to say
that sometimes it requires that people put someone other than themselves first.
Surely, many qualities are required or
necessary for a good friendship to hold; including honesty, trustworthiness,
loyalty, tolerance and unconditional acceptance. These and many other factors
have the tendency to yield an unconditional love between the parties involved.
Happiness
ought to be seen as a paramount watchword by the people or a group of persons
who are in a certain friendship irrespective of the circumstance. Of course, we
are aware that human beings can clash very easily, which is why it’s hard for
some people to maintain many friendships. Thus, members of a particular
friendship are expected to uphold absolute honesty at all cost with the sole
aim of sustaining their relationship.
Today being Wednesday July 30, the world over
is marking the 2014 International Day of Friendship. The resolution concerning
the annual International Day of Friendship was adopted unanimously by the
United Nations (UN) General Assembly in May 2011 in recognition of the fact
that friendship can contribute meaningfully to the efforts of the global
community towards the promotion of dialogue among solidarity, civilization,
mutual understanding as well as reconciliation.
The resolution mandated the international
community to henceforth recognize July 30 of every year as International Day of
Friendship thereby inviting all the UN Member States, several arms of the UN
system, and other international and regional bodies coupled with civil
societies, to observe the Day in accordance with the culture/customs and other
appropriate circumstances of their respective local, national or regional
communities through public awareness-raising activities.
During the last year’s commemoration of
the International Day of Friendship, on July 30 – 2013 precisely, the United
Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon urged the global community to use the
potential of friendship to strengthen common bonds and inspire efforts for
peace and sustainable development. The UN boss further stated, “ The
International Day of Friendship is an important opportunity to confront the
misunderstanding and distrust that underlie so many of the tensions and
conflicts in today’s world.” He also added that the event is a reminder that
human solidarity is essential to promoting lasting peace and fostering
sustainable growth among mankind, therefore urged the international communities
to cultivate warm ties that would strengthen our common humanity and promote
the well-being of the human race.
This year’s International Day of
Friendship falls amidst the one thousand (1,000) days of action to reach the
2015 deadline for the eight anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). Considering this fact, it is worthy to note that it
is our civic responsibility to ensure that adequate friendship is maintained in
our respective endeavours, to enable us boast of maximum productivity thereby
curtailing the alarming rate of poverty in Africa and other developing nations
across the globe.
Since two heads are better than one, it
is needless to tell us that all hands are expected to be on deck towards
ensuring that friendship is created and as well sustained at all cost for the betterment of mankind.
COMR. FRED DOC NWAOZOR
Public
Affairs analyst & Social activist
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+2348054719437
