YOUTH ISSUES - YOUTHS AND FRIENDSHIP (1)

Friendship is one of the most observable features of every Youth. It can be defined as the act of making or having friends. Today, everybody makes friends, but it is more conspicuous among the youths. In fact, to say that every youth has friends is not an overstatement. No man is an island. No-one can communicate with himself. Thus, it becomes pertinent to say that it is natural to make friends. But the question is: Who is a friend?

            A friend is one who is to be tested and trusted. It is a treasure, a powerful defence and something beyond price. It is the elixir of life. The Oxford Learners’ English Dictionary defined it as someone you know well and like, who is not a member of your family. In all, friendship can be seen as a very important part of life. But it is necessary to know oneself before embarking on this journey of friendship. Certain worthwhile questions ought to be asked and answered. Who am I? What are my identities? Am I a quarrelsome somebody or a peacemaker? Am I tolerant or cantankerous? Am I approachable? What is my reputation in the society? What is my religion? Do I go to church or a pagan? What is my family background and history? The answers to the above questions are in your modus operandi. Once these entire questions have been correctly answered without prejudice, the second question creeps in: what is my goal and purpose in life?

            According to St. Augustine, “Men go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge wave of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the oceans, at the circular motion of the stars and they pass by themselves without wondering (as cited by Anoka, 2004). One simple fact every youth should have and believe is that he or she is unique. Implicit in and very sensitive to your uniqueness is your goal in life, which is the purpose of your creation and existence. You have a vision. Your vision or goal is sensitive to your actions, imaginations and your environment which constitutes mostly of your friends. Adequate precaution should be taken in choosing a friend because a true friend is an important factor in the journey of life. According to Rev. Fr. Augustine lwuagwu, “you cannot run away from the consequences of your choice.” A man is as big as his decisions (Churchill). Be mindful of the choices you make and how you go about them because, once all things become allowable simply because you desire them, you will become a slave of your choice. Your goal in life ought to and must be in accordance with a view of contributing your own quota in the transformation of your environment. Your choice of a friend must also be in compliance with your life’s goal and purpose. Look before you leap. A yam farmer making friend with a goat should not complain of friend betrayal. Nobody pities a snake charmer bitten by a snake.

......To be continued.