ADDIS ABABA – House of Federation announced that the 14th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day will be organized by Oromia State and celebrated at Addis Ababa with a spirit of togetherness.
Gebru Gebrselassie, Public Relation and Communication Director with the Federation, told The Ethiopian Herald that as the day is celebrated to memorize the day of the ratification of the constitution that guaranteed freedom and equality for all Nations, Nationalities and People of the country, the festival has multi-lateral advantages for the citizens of the country.
He stressed that the celebration of the day has paved the way for different ethnic groups to promote their cultures and identities, while also being a tourist attraction. Mentioning that the event should not be a one day festival and should be celebrated in different programs at different regional States, he noted that this year’s celebration of the festival was already launched by undertaking people-to-people programs to strength the positive relation between Nations and Nationalities.
This year’s edition of the Nation, Nationalities Day will also host different panel discussions on constitution and federalism to enhance the awareness of the citizens on the shortcoming and strength of the constitution.
Lomi Bedo, Speaker of Oromia State Council on her part said that the festival is celebrated to memorize the ratification day of the current constitution that freed Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities from long lasting cultural, political and economic oppression.
She noted that while a lot of measurements had been done to ensure equality and togetherness in line with the constitution, there were also shortcomings in that regard. Having only one federal language is among the shortcoming of aforementioned period.
Stating that there was more emphasis on diversity than unity, she added that both recognizing diversity as well as working towards unity is equally important.It is learnt that this year’s NNP’s Day will take place on December 9, 2019, under the theme: “Our Constitution for sustainable peace”.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 4/2019
BY TAMERU REGASA
