ANALYSTS CALL FOR CAUTION ON FRIENDS MADE THROUGH THE SOCAIL MEDIA

Nigeria recently joined the global community to mark the World Friendship Day. The day originated from the United States of America but the date July 30, was proposed in 1958 by the World Friendship Crusade which was finally declared on April 27, 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly.
The day was set aside to promote the role friendship plays in ensuring peace in many cultures and building bridges between communities.
The event also provides a platform for friends to express love.
In an interview, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe described friendship as a relationship that exists between people who are mutually attracted to each other.

“Making friendship is very easy but sustaining it is a difficult thing. True friends are those who protect you when you are not there, who protect you when you are not there, who will join others to condemn you and you can confide into secrets that have to be kept. Friendship cuts across borders, you have the youths, children aged you make friends all round but you group your friends.”

The Dean, Social Science Department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Sam Ugwu, explained the benefits of friendship.

“Ideas about life, ideas in academics, you interact with your friends each time you go for any programme you make friends, like the last time I attended NNC accreditation I made friends with some professors from other universities and we interact on phone, on social media and the exchange ideas on issues that concern Nigeria; issues that concern our families; my friends in the primary school I have missed them and am planning to get in contact with them.”

Other respondents gave their views on the celebration.
“As a human being you have to make friends and you live with friends, God made it so.
“Friends are companions and we share experiences with them, good times and problems.
“I make friends by interacting with people who have the things I need.”
The respondents cautioned against friendships contracted through social media especially when an individual does not have a pre-knowledge of the other person.

EVELYN AWUNOR