*Friendship by Adenitan Joseph*

*FRIENDSHIP*

The word friendship begins with communication and genuine love...

The Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary defines a "Friend" as an associate who provides assistance and a person who backs and supports someone. One thing brings individuals and group of people together to become friends, thus, all are founded and established on the foundation of love. Further more, it brings alliance between states, bilateral relationship between nations and affectionate relationship between opposite genders which has led to marriage, and this has ensured continuity in production of mankind which is believed to be one of the most important thing. Also, friendship can be regarded as the best form of relationship which can exist between individuals and group of people.

A love expert said 'the best form of marriage that have evolved in the last centuries solely started on the basis of friendship'. This basically tells us that friendship is divine. The importance of love cannot be over emphasized.
By extension, every bilateral relationship between nations, for instance, the place of friendship that coexist between Indian and Russian during the renowned civil war between Indian and parkistan. Russian supported Indian territorial claim and Russia contributed to India civilization. India and Russia shared military and modern scientific technological civilization. In addition, Russian leaders are often invited to India republic celebration day.
Now, coming down to Africa, let's take Nigeria and Liberia civil war histories down the memory lane. The civil war that was fought in Liberia between the years 1989-1997, which left about 250,000 people killed and led to the involvement of ECOWAS under the leadership of General Olusegun Obasanjo,  President of Nigeria since Nigeria was the closest alien country to Liberia. Also as  members of the West African Nations, the massive help the Nigeria government rendered to the Liberian can never be written off their memory. Who will forget the trading relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic popular known by it's capital, Cotonou which has yielded countless mutual benefits for the the nations.

Types of friendship

1. Perfect friendship: individuals find a growth pattern for each other whereby they support and advise each other on the growth path of life. Individuals are patient and accept each other.

2. Friendship of pleasure : This is based on pleasure, whereby people associate with one another because of their personal gain and motive. This is rampant among the youths.

Note: Friendship should be based on love and sacrifice for someone who can go any length to support your dream, when he or she wants to see you on the ladder of success. Friendship should be what I can offer at my own abundance of wisdom, knowledge of, and materials without expecting anything in return.
As sweet the union between friends can be, there are still elements of toxicity in friendship which can be dangerous when not properly checked and they include; gossiping, competition, envy and lack of consistent communication.

In conclusion, people come and go, only few of them stay in alignment to remain friends. We can only be glad and cherish those moments. Remember a friend is someone who understands us the most and cannot be replaced even when death takes him or her away from us, as friendship is the most beautiful discovery the  human race has ever made. A good friend will always be there for you to support you and practically lives his or her life always being there for you in trying and difficult times.

OS/19B/1891
ADENITAN JOSEPH AYODELE
Graduate of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta,Ogun state

From the department of Plant breeding and seed Technology.