Ethiopians across the nation are celebrating 13th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day (NNPD) today, December 8, 2018. However, some people inquiry its impact on hitting its intended targets, arguing that past celebrations had little upshot on realizing public harmony. They also justified their point of view that the identity based assaults that has been taking place in some parts of the country as one of the sole indications.
In fact, there is a grain of truth in this argument. However, it is undeniable that the achievements have more priceless than the gaps. Hence, in contrary to the argument, the NNPD celebrated every year for the past twelve years had a number of significances.
We all could witness its affirmative impact on strengthening tolerance and togetherness, which had a remarkable contribution for the unison of the people.
Moreover, it played a momentous role in developing respect to one another. The recent identity based onrushes were not carried out by the people. The onsets were designed by some individuals and groups who have political and other related interests.
In getting together, all Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia managed to know one another. It is obvious that the people have no enough income that could enable them to pay visits to different parts of the country to learn about the diversity.
Due to these reasons, Ethiopians in one area had no opportunity to know about the people in other parts of the country. The NNPD, therefore, has an epochal contribution in bringing people from all corners of the country together and help to know one another’s costume, religion and way of living.
It drew numerous people from all parts of the country together in a setting enabling them to share their cultural values with each others. The mingling of one ethnic with people from other ethnic and cultural backgrounds could present an airy room for learning something new.
The NNPD also helped the people know the beauty of the people in any corner of the country. They could learn their diversity as the country is the mosaic of nations, nationalities and peoples with different fascinating cultures and values.
Above all, it could dish up as a basic foundation for development and peace in addition to encouraging all nations, nationalities and peoples work together, being hand in gloves, for sustainable development, an enduring peace and stability.
A number of hotels, stadiums and roads were built in connection to the celebration in a bid to accommodate guests from all parts of the country. For instance, the stadium in Jigjiga, Assosa, Gambella, Semera and Harrar were constructed in connection with the celebration Day.
While celebrating this day, Ethiopians have also renewed their vows in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the country. So far, they jeopardized a number of attempts that could poison their peace and deteriorate their unity. Besides, the celebration contributes to develop the people’s loyalty to the constitution.
The NNPD conceded the aforementioned undeniable gains. Despite the wrong perceptions on its impacts, it has been building the unison, helping out all nations and nationalities to know one another, creating exposure to different culture, sharing experience, enhancing development and bringing an enduring peace. In a nut shell, the celebration of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day has undeniable over shining fruits that could cement the unity of the people.
Herald December 8/2018
