2014 World Humanitarian Day (Aired Newstalk)

COMMEMORATING THE 2014 WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY, 
  TODAY TUESDAY AUGUST 19

      

Today being 19^th of August 2014, the world over is marking the World Humanitarian Day. The World Humanitarian Day is an annual and international day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives while working for humanitarian causes. The event was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as part of a Swedish-sponsored General-Assembly Resolution on the strengthening of the coordination of Emergency Assistance of the United Nations.

The World Humanitarian Day is a time to recognize those who face danger and adversity while helping others. The day was set aside by the UN General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad – Iraq, which claimed twenty-two (22) lives including the live of the then Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Iraq – Sergio Vieira de Mello.

The invention of August 19 as World Humanitarian Day was the outcome of the relentless efforts of Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation coupled with the partnership of the deceased’s family with the Ambassadors of France, Switzerland, Japan, as well as Brazil in both Geneva and New York tabling and steering the draft resolution through the UN General Assembly. All the efforts of the Foundation was to ensure that the tragic loss of Vieira de Mello and his twenty-one (21) colleagues, and all the humanitarian personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifices in relieving the suffering of the victims of humanitarian crises were not in vain.

Sergio Vieira de Mello who was a citizen of Brazil – South America dedicated his lifetime spanning over thirty years in the United Nations, serving in some of the most challenging humanitarian situations in the world to reach the voiceless victims of armed conflict, alleviate their suffering and draw global attention to their plight. His death alongside twenty-one of his colleagues on 19^th August 2003 in Baghdad – Iraq, deprived the victims of armed conflict worldwide of a unique humanitarian leader of unmatched courage, drive and empathy who championed their cause fearlessly and clearly engraved their plight on the world map.

The tragic event also robbed the humanitarian community of an outstanding leader and intellectual whose thought, philosophy, dynamism and courage inspired all, and remains a timeless legacy to emulate by generations yet unborn. Mindful of this legacy, in 2006 the family of the late humanitarian icon and a group of close friends founded the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation dedicated to continue his unfinished mission of encouraging dialogue between communities and relieving the predicament faced by the victims of humanitarian crises.

The World Humanitarian Day was commemorated for the first time on 19^th August 2009. Suffice to say that, this year’s commemoration is the sixth of its kind in the history of the worthwhile event. As the international community marks the event today, we are all urged to borrow a leaf from the indelible landmark achievements of the great warrior and legend – Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Surely, the most important thing to any man remains his/her welfare. Welfare could be referred to as one’s well-being; or, organized efforts to ensure the basic well-being of people in need. Since the term ‘Humanitarian’ has to do with human welfare, it is of no need reiterating the fact that this remarkable event widely known and recognized as World Humanitarian Day was set aside to sensitize mankind on the cogent need for people to help one another, and for anyone to support any crusade that is targeted at promoting lending hand to persons that are in need or victimized.       

Since no one ever wishes to be in a community or society made up of only him/her, thus, we ought to ensure that the sustenance of the well-being of our relatives, friends, colleagues or associates as the case may be, is at all times our civic responsibility.  

 

         COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social Crusader

____________________________________

                +2348054719437    

Who's Your Best Friend?

WHO’S YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Greetings brethren! Honestly I dreamt of you last night. And believe me; what I saw in the dream disclosed to me that we were almost close to the point where the best is kept for us.

I’ve reiterated the fact often times that everyone needs to be faced with an option so he/she can make a choice; because if there’s no option, one may think, albeit ignorantly, that what he has is the best. In other words, ‘best’ is a superlative adjective which comes up after thorough comparison.

Two weeks ago during my business stay in Jos –Plateau State, I used the opportunity to meet one of my old time friends residing in the city. The young man in question recently took a woman to the altar barely three months ago, and I wasn’t opportune to attend the remarkable ceremony. The moment I entered his sitting room, he ushered the newest bride for a formal introduction. Having introduced me to her, he began by saying, “Engineer Fred, meet my best friend and soul mate…”, referring to the woman of the moment. That is by the way; please pardon the digression.

The topic before us is “Who’s your best friend?” The topic might seem or sound trivial but frankly speaking, it bears a very critical issue that requires to be treated with all manner of seriousness coupled with thoroughness.

In one of my previous publications titled “Commemorating the 2014 International Day of Friendship…” which had to do with the annual anniversary of the Int’l Day of Friendship as mandated by the United Nations (UN), I took my precious time to analyze extensively the real meaning of a friend. I made it known that, a friend is a person one likes and knows well. Furthermore, I stated that it could be defined as a supporter of a cause or a staunch fan of a certain organization.

The above definition implies that, a friend is the first person(s) you wish to call whenever you receive good news. Needless to say; 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.

Significantly, going by the aforementioned statement, your best friend is one of your friends in whom you’re well pleased and wish to share all your blessings or burdens with. Mind you, one could boast of more than one best friend. But the problem we invariably face is how to know who is/are truly our best friend(s). Or in a nutshell, the qualities that make one your best friend. This is where the interest of today’s edition lies. Let’s ride on!

Beloved, there are certain distinct idiosyncrasies that a friend, brother, or sister bound to possess before he/she can be referred to as your best friend. Or, before you regard him/her as your ‘best friend’. You can see that I made mention of a brother or sister, because your relative can also be regarded as your friend; yes, one can be introduced as your brother or sister as well as your friend. You must be mindful of the fact that, not all your relations are your friends, considering the definition of ‘a friend’ stated above.

We have already made it clear that, one can never make a choice or acquire the best if there are no options. So for you to acquire the best, you must be placed with an option. The option would enable you to compare or contrast between the things or persons involved.

Let’s go straight to the point regarding who you’re meant to be seen or addressed as your best friend. Since your friend is that first person you wish to call whenever you receive any good or bad news as the case may be, then your best friend is that person who wishes to call you whenever he/she receives any good or bad news, this signifies that, there must be reciprocation in the kind of affection or feeling you have for the person you call your best friend. Therefore, as you wish to hear from him or her come rain come shine, he/she is also expected to wish that he/she hears from you in any circumstance. There’s no two ways about it.

Suffice to say that, anyone you regard as your best friend is expected to be there for you just as you are there for him or her. Summarily, the kind of affections that exist in best friendship must be reciprocal. The two or more parties involved must be there for each other regardless of the circumstance. We must have this at the back of our minds, so that, we won’t continue to derail as regards whom we regard as our ‘best friend’.

Regarding the above analyses, the first person that ought to be seen as one’s best friend is his/her mother, husband or wife as the case might be, because friendship between a child and his/her mother remains the best ever, likewise that of a man/woman and his or her wife/husband just as my bosom friend in Jos introduced his darling wife as his best friend.

At this juncture, I ask once again: who’s your best friend? Think about it!

 

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Abuse Of The Beauty Of Dress Among Mankind

 ABUSE OF THE BEAUTY OF DRESS AMONG MANKIND

 Greetings brethren. I’m immensely glad you are looking happier than before. That is exactly what every man prays for; yes, we all pray for increment or growth in our respective worthwhile endeavours. I’m also glad we’re all gorgeously dressed as if we knew what we would be discussing today. All the same; we’re highly welcome as usual.

I put it up to you that everyone prays to be faced with an option so he can make a choice, because if there’s no option, one may ignorantly think that what he has is the best. Of course ‘Best’ is a comparative adjective; thus, you can never tag something/someone as the best if there are no things/ones regarded as the ‘good’ or ‘better’ as the case might be. Suffice to say; ‘best’ is a superlative comparative adjective that’s being used after good and better respectively.

Barely three days ago, Friday August 8 to be precise, I was opportune to be in Asaba – the capital Territory of Delta state. During a tete-a-tete section with some of my associates in a certain hotel, I learnt from one of us who resides in Warri that, as regards dress (clothing) competition, Warri as a locality would take the last position. Though it was his personal opinion, but as an analyst, I tried to ascertain want prompted the perception. The man in question unequivocally ended-up saying that, on the average, a resident of Warri was nothing to write home about in regard to dress, because they were of the view that it doesn’t really speak for someone’s personality.

Dress, in a nutshell, is the kind of clothes someone is putting on. Generally, it is someone’s outfit or clothing in a given circumstance or occasion. In other words, one’s dress is the combination of all the wears he/she is putting on simultaneously. Take for instance; if you’re putting on a pair of knickers, T-shirt, face cap, and a pair of sandals at the same time, the combination of the aforementioned wears is your dress.

In the same vein; a piece of clothing worn by a woman or girl, which covers her body and extends down over her legs, can also be referred to as her dress. Summarily, one’s dress is anything or group of things he/she is wearing at a certain time or occasion.

The above definitions have clearly specified that one’s dress contributes immensely to his/her beauty. Believe me, dress plays a very vital role in someone’s beauty; frankly dress can make a Chimpanzee look like a fox. But it’s appalling to notice that the beauty of dress among mankind has been profoundly abused by all and sundry, especially in the African society.

Those days during the time of our ancestors, no doubt, there was originality with regard to the dress pattern they were used to. In fact, there was what could be regarded as ‘dress code’ among them. On the contrary, nowadays it’s quite disheartening to observe the enormous abnormality taking place amongst the human race, all in the name of ‘fashion’.  No one pays attention anymore to what he or she intends to wear to an occasion due to the present culture widely known as ‘Individual liberty’. Let’s ride on!

Individual liberty is the situation whereby one has the right to indulge in any social activity or behaviour without the intervention of his/her parents or guardian, let alone that of other members of the society he/she belongs. Considering dress, such culture or way of life simply signifies that anyone has the right to dress in a particular style as it pleases him/her.

The above stated culture is one of the negative side-effects of civilization. Frankly, civilization has endangered so many African cultures that were speaking volume in the continent. For instance, take a walk to the various campuses in Nigeria; you would see for yourself that there is tremendous decay in the pattern of dressing among the so-called students of the campuses.

Before now, everyone was of the view that the type of attire one is clad in, has to do with the nature of the occasion he/she wants to attend or the activity he/she intends to indulge in. But today, the reverse is completely the case. The youth no longer dress to suit the occasion or activity in question; rather, to suit the devil as well as his agents. It is even pathetic and disgusting to acknowledge the fact that, the elderly ones have followed suit. Hour of deliverance, brethren!

I’m using this medium to urge the law makers to enact a law bearing capital punishment in regard to throwing this rubbish to the waste bin where it rightly belongs. We can’t fold our hands and continue watching our society dying gradually out of negligence. It is our civic and collective responsibility to put this uncalled social deviance to the history book.

On the other hand, I wish to throw a sign of warning at this point. Those, especially the female folks, who continually derive pleasure from dressing either half-naked or totally nude, ought to wake up from their respective slumbers. I want to disclose to you that one’s dress is automatically his/her identity, contrary to the alleged believe of a typical Warri resident as reported by my associate. In fact, your dress is your first identity because it is what is being noticed the moment you present yourself.

At this juncture, I’m issuing you an ultimatum to turn away from your lackadaisical and evil ways, unless you don’t wish to appear happier than this by tomorrow. Mind you; you’re not faced with any option as regards this ultimatum. Think about it!

 

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

   

The Imo State Nneoma Women Organization (Aired Newstalk)

PROPOSED VISIT OF THE IMO FIRST LADY TO ORU EAST LGA FOR THE INAUGURATION OF THE NNEOMA WOMEN ORGANIZATION – ORU EAST CHAPTER, TOMORROW TUESDAY AUGUST 12 – 2014

No doubt, women are like food condiments in any society in existence. No wonder it is widely in circulation that, any society without a woman is of no taste.

Since it has been proven that women are the essential catalyst in the democratic developmental process of any society, there is a cogent need to inculcate them into governance in order to achieve sustainable progress at all the levels of government which encompass local, state, and federal.

Considering this singular fact, there is an urgent need to reposition women towards utilizing their potentials in building a better society through the use of their respective families as the building block. This is exactly what the Imo First Lady is doing in Imo State via the establishment of various women groups.

Tomorrow being Tuesday August 12 - 2014, the Imo State First Lady –Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha would be in Oru East LGA ably led by Hon. Barr. Obinna Amagwula to inaugurate the “Nneoma Women Organization” of the council. The ongoing inaugural project, which commenced few weeks ago, is meant to take place in all the twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas in Imo State.

The Nneoma Women Organization is aimed at repositioning and equipping Imo Women thereby sensitizing them to effectively discharge their duties in their respective homes and the society at large, as well as urging them to contribute their quota in the ongoing developmental strive of the Rescue Mission Agenda of the present Imo State government led by Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, OON.

The Nneoma Women Group is an association of good spirited women whose objectives includes: serving as a medium for encouraging and promoting peace, unity, coexistence, spiritual growth in various families and communities, coupled with the discovering and harnessing of hidden talents among women.

The Oru East Nneoma Women Organization, which has distinguished women like Evang. Esther Obong Egbuna, Dr Mrs. Akwuabia Nzeribe, Mrs. Ugonna Amagwula, Hon Mrs. Nma Michaels and Mrs Stella Udogwu as the leaders, is presently piloted by Mrs. Catherine Boniface and Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Okafor as the Chairperson and Secretary respectively.

Indeed the well-being of any family, society or nation anchors on the behavior of women, who are invariably regarded as the integral part of the global community. Suffice to say that, the Nneoma Women Group requires the collective support of all and sundry.

Surely just like salt, women help to preserve adequate value in the society. This fact is not unconnected to the speech made by Prof Mrs. G. G. Agulanna on the topic “Woman: Salt of the Family” during the recent Conference of the Nneoma Women organized by the amiable Imo First Lady, which took place at Ahiajoku Convention Centre – New Owerri on Thursday February 27, 2014.

It is worthy to remind us that the theme of that remarkable One-Day Conference, which featured series of lectures, interactive session, documentary presentations, among others, was “The Woman: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. During the aforementioned conference, the Imo First Lady – Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha who delivered a lecture on “Etiquette and Courtesy”, stressed the importance of adopting polite and acceptable manners or attitude in every aspect of human endeavours. She went further to educate the women on social behavior, table manners, home management, just to mention but a few; and urged them to imbibe the culture of self-improvement.

As the lovely and loving Imo First Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha – Eji Ulo Eme Ogo, visits Oru East tomorrow 12^th of August 2014 to inaugurate the Oru East wing of this impeccable organization known as Nneoma Women Group, we humbly request the presence of all the stakeholders and well-meaning individuals of the council both home and in the diaspora, including the Traditional Rulers, Ndi Nze na Ozo, Civil servants, Senior citizens, Commercial drivers/motorcyclists, various party leaders, the youth, school children, gentlemen of the Press, and most importantly all the women organizations in Oru East LGA.

 

         

        COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

_______________________________

              +2348054719437

Paedophilia: A Blood-Curdling Societal Canker

PAEDOPHILIA: A BLOOD-CURDLING SOCIETAL CANKER
    

Greetings brethren! I welcome you all to another special edition of this ongoing divine crusade widely known and recognized as ‘Fancy Facts’. Please sit tight on your respective seats as we unfold the content of today’s edition to the fullness.

       
Before I proceed, I want you to note one fact: a bad attitude can literally prevent love, blessings, and destiny from finding you. So don’t be the reason you won’t succeed. In the same spirit, let me notify you unequivocally that, you were born to be real, not to be perfect; you are here to be you, not to live someone else’s life.

        
Most times I spend my precious time pondering over some certain occurrences taking place around us. I know as a prolific writer, I’m meant to be in a pensive mood virtually at all times, but it is worthy to note that some meditations are indeed thought-provoking, which is tantamount to causing a nervous wreck to the person involved.

       
Let me quickly share a tale with you before I proceed. Penultimate week, I was opportune to be in Abuja, the Nigeria’s Capital Territory. While I was having a drink with some of my associates who based in the city, I was told that a certain young man in his late forties residing in Abuja, Garki to be precise, was arrested by the police for allegedly raping a six-year old girl who lives in his neighbourhood with the parents.         

       
I learnt that the incident was a product of deceit invented by the miscreant. The report disclosed that on one fateful afternoon, the man in question drove to the kid’s school during the dismissal time, with the aim of taking the kid home. He told the head teacher that the child’s father pleaded with him to bring her home since the child’s school is situated very close to his office, with the excuse that the father had an emergency call to report somewhere. The child having confirmed that the man who posed as a ‘good Samaritan’ was her neighbour coupled with the fact that the man had accompanied the kid’s father to the school on a certain occasion, the teachers was left with no other choice than to release the kid to him.

      
There’s no need stating that the alleged rape took place in the man’s car. This and many more similar tales occurring virtually on a weekly basis, if not daily, are not unconnected to the fact that paedophilia is considered as a worthwhile practice by most of us. Let’s ride on!

       
Paedophilia, in a precise term, is a situation whereby one is being sexually attracted to children. In other words, a paedophile is a person who’s sexually attracted to a child. Summarily, paedophilia has to do with one who has the urge to ‘sleep’ or have sex with a child.

        
It is no longer news that the aforementioned societal menace has deeply gained ground in our divinely created polity. Considering this fact, one may be tempted to ask: what is actually happening to the entire human race? Frankly concerning the above mentioned race, there are several questions that are needed to be asked regarding most current occurrences that could be tagged as ‘absurdity’.

       
In regard to sexual abuse, we are no longer discussing homosexuality, lesbianism, masturbation, and what have you; presently, the most devastating one remains ‘paedophilia’. In the last paragraph, I said that ‘one may be tempted to ask what is actually happening to the human race’; but the truth of the whole matter is that the overall human race, if I’m not mistaken, is profoundly infected with an indelible ‘spiritual disease’.

       
Yes I’m strongly of the opinion that the cause of this anomaly is strictly spiritual, because I can’t see the reason a sane person would be sexually attracted to a little child under normal circumstance. The condition is similar to seeing a man in his right senses having a sexual urge for a mad woman walking helplessly on a street.

       
Often, the ridiculous practice is attributed to ritualism. The outcome of my research is that most of the cultists indulge in any of the above acts in order to tender sacrifices to their respective secret confraternities. Such act is usually the first sacrifice that would be required from them the moment they become members of the cult. And, they are always faced with no option than to do as demanded by the deity.

       
 On the other hand, it could be as a result of a spell. I want you to note that anyone who’s under a spell is liable to indulge in any form of blasphemous or sacrilegious act. In this case, the victim of circumstance doesn’t have an option either. This is why we ought to be very careful in whatever we do with our friends, relatives or colleagues to ensure that we do not attract any curse to our persons.

       
The bone of contention as regards silencing this ‘blood-curdling societal canker’ is that everyone must search his/her conscience to ascertain if there’s any way he or she has wronged the Almighty. Mind you; no one can cheat on nature and go scorch-free because she (nature) remains the omnipotent and omniscient. In fact, no one can successfully cheat on nature.

       
Beloved, it’s better late than never; don’t allow your bad attitude to prevent your destiny or blessings from locating you. Think about it!

          

FRED DOC NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

2014 International Youth Day (Aired Newstalk)

A CLARION CALL FOR AWARENESS AS THE WORLD MARKS THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY, TODAY TUESDAY AUGUST 12, 2014

It is generally noted that the youth is the productive class of any nation. In the same vein, anyone in a youthful stage sees himself as one of the main parts of the engine room of any society he belongs.

     
Suffice to say; any existing society that cannot boast of at least a youth is not unlike a tree that is being deprived of its major root. This is why any country that has lost its youths to social vices lives like a blind man and as well sleeps with both eyes open.

Though the definition of the youth regarding the age bracket varies from one school of thought to another; but in a nutshell, it could be defined as a group of young people who are in their adulthood stage. Thus, a youth is simply an adult or a fully grown person that is young.

   
Considering the above definition, you would agree to the fact that the youth is indeed the engine room of any nation. On the contrary, it is pathetic to see a society comprising youths that have lost their sense of judgement or reasoning. It is no longer news that presently, about ninety percent (90%) of the overall youths in most countries in the world have intensely derailed thereby constituting series of inconsequential cacophonies as well as societal menace.

      
Taking Nigeria for instance: during the post-colonial era and thereabouts, virtually all the political positions in the country were occupied by the youth ranging from Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Chief Tafawa Balewa, Gen Murtala Mohammed, Gen Theophilus Danjuma, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, Gen Sani Abacha, Gen Shehu Musa Yar’adua, Gen Aguiyi Ironsi, Gen Chukwuemeka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen Mohammadu Buhari, and many others too numerous to mention. But today, the reverse is totally the case. Frankly this profound apathy coupled with complete loss of vision among the youth which occupies about one-third of the world’s population, calls for an outcry.

       
Today being August 12, the world is commemorating the 2014 International Youth Day. The International Youth Day is annually held on August 12 to celebrate the achievements of the world’s youth and to encourage their participation in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions in their respective communities.

  
The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by young people who were gathered in Vienna – Austria for the first session of the United Nations (UN) World Youth Forum. The forum recommended that an International Youth Day should be declared, especially for fund-raising and promotional purposes to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with various youth organizations.      

       
In 1998, a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth Affairs. That recommendation was later endorsed in 1999 by the UN General Assembly. The International Youth Day was first observed in the year 2000; one of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the United Nations’ World Youth Awards to the eight Latin American and Caribbean youth and youth-related organizations in Panama City.

       
Many activities and events that take place around the world on International Youth Day promote the benefits the world derives from young people. Many countries participate in this global event, which encompasses youth seminars cum conferences on issues such as education and empowerment; other activities include concerts promoting the world’s youth, as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people’s achievements.

       
As the world over marks the International Youth Day today, I’m soliciting for awareness-raising campaigns to ensure that all the youths are fully sensitized in order to revive the ongoing alarming rate of moral decadence, docility, laxity, and mediocrity found among them. I therefore, call on the governments, non-governmental bodies, religious institutions, stakeholders, the media, and what have you, to join hands in this enticing crusade so that in no distant time the world over shall boast of a global society filled with only resourceful and conscience-driven youths.

          COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Public Affairs analyst & Social activist

_______________________________

                +2348054719437

2014 International Day Of Friendship (Aired Newstalk)

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

_______________________________
                +2348054719437